September 3 will be the 78th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. And from that date until May 8 1945, the longest campaign of the war was fought by the naval and military members of the Allied Forces in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Merchant Navy Day recognizes the service and sacrifice of the civilian members of the Merchant Navy who manned the cargo vessels, tankers and troop ships that carries the fighting forces and their supplies across the oceans.
In recognition of Sept. 3 as Merchant Navy Day, the red ensign, commonly known as the 鈥淩ed Duster鈥�, will be flown throughout the Comox Valley.
One will be flown at each of the three branches of the Royal Canadian Legion in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland. An additional red ensign will be flown at the Comox Cenotaph and one will be flown at the city hall of the City of Courtenay.
Veterans and the public are welcome to also see the Merchant Navy items on display at the HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial located 5-625 Cliffe Ave. (Tulio鈥檚 Plaza) Courtenay. The museum is having a special opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Sept. 3 in addition to its regular hours.
The Royal Canadian Naval Association is made up of serving and former naval veterans and is formed into various branches across Canada. The Association also includes Coast Guard and Merchant Navy members and promotes support of the Canadian Cadet Organization.
The Comox Valley Branch meets at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, at the meeting hall of Branch 160 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Comox.
