Military personnel gather in Barrie to honour lives lost in Battle of the Atlantic
Local military troops held an annual parade and ceremony to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Around 200 military personnel gathered in Downtown Barrie to honour the thousands of Canadian lives that were lost during what was the longest battle of World War II.
The Battle of the Atlantic spanned from 1939 to 1945, and is commemorated every year on the first Sunday of May by legions across the country.
"Over two thousand Canadian sailors, 900 Royal Canadian Air Force and 17-hundred Merchant Navy gave their lives during that battle," said Commodore Jason Armstrong of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Troops from local Navy, Army and Air Force bases marched around Meridian Place, before taking part in a remembrance ceremony at Memorial Square. They ranged from veterans who previously served to young cadets.
Wreaths were also laid in traditional military fashion for each base so that their veterans can be remembered from generation to generation.
"Today was amazing," said Deputy-Commander Peter Antonew of Canadian Forces Base Borden. "We see the past with the veterans, the present with those members from the base, and the future with the cadets."
The young cadets were also honoured at the event.
"Recognizing what happened I think is an important step in making sure it doesn't happen again," said Daniela Gualtieri Da Silva, Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Barrie. "We need to be able to recognize the sacrifice that many soldiers and many civilians made for our country."
There will also be a special parade in Barrie on Thursday, June 6th to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
Member of Israel's War Cabinet says he'll quit June 8 unless there's new war plan
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan in three weeks' time for the war in Gaza.
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Israel-Hamas war protesters temporarily take over building on University of Chicago campus
A group protesting the war in Gaza and demanding that the University of Chicago divest from companies doing business with Israel temporarily took over a building on the school's campus.