[BITList] Fwd: Embargoed Snowdon media release: MERCHANT MARINERS COMMEMORATED TODAY [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[John Feltham]

Mike,

You might like to forward this to the other mob?

ooroo





Minister for Veterans’ Affairs subscription list
 
***Embargoed until midnight 2nd September***
 
Saturday, 3 September 2011                                                                                                            VA070
 
MERCHANT MARINERS COMMEMORATED TODAY
 
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, today encouraged Australians to remember the service and sacrifice of merchant mariners during times of war on Merchant Navy Day.
 
Last Sunday Mr Snowdon joined the Canadian Veterans’ Affairs Minister Steven Blaney for a wreath-laying ceremony of remembrance in Ottowa to mark Canada’s 8th annual Merchant Navy Veterans Day.
 
Mr Snowdon said Australia’s Merchant Navy Day being celebrated today is a time for merchant mariners who served in support of the Allied war effort to receive public recognition.
 
Thousands of Australian merchant mariners served on Australian, Commonwealth and Allied ships, as well as merchant ships from other nations, during both World Wars.
 
“While their story is not widely known outside the veteran community, merchant mariners made an invaluable contribution to Australia’s defence forces during the World Wars and performed vital and often dangerous duties,” he said.
 
Merchant ships were frequently in grave danger from enemy submarines, hostile aircraft, mines and unpredictable weather conditions. Merchant seamen braved treacherous seas and oceans to transport service personnel, deliver equipment, food and fuel supplies, as well as helping evacuate civilians from threatened areas.
 
“Merchant ships were often large and slow and were unarmed or only lightly armed making them easy targets for the enemy. As a result, many merchant seamen made the ultimate sacrifice,” Mr Snowdon said.
 
Mr Snowdon said merchant mariners were a mix of defence force personnel and civilian shipmen. Many were volunteers working on an assortment of ships that had been gathered for the war effort.
 
“Today we commemorate the bravery and determination of the Merchant Navy and remember the 435 Australian merchant mariners known to have lost their lives,” Mr Snowdon said.
 
Merchant Navy Day is commemorated on 3 September each year to mark the sinking of the first Allied merchant vessel, the British liner Athenia, on the first day of the Second World War.
 
Commemorative services are planned in states across Australia.
 
Editor’s note: Images of the Merchant Navy are available on www.dva.gov.au/media
 
Media inquiries:      Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999 or 02 6277 7820
                                    Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
 
 
 
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