Thunder Bay is remembering those who served in the Canadian Merchant Navy in World War II.
They played a vital role in supplying the goods needed to sustain Great Britain and to bring supplies to the Allied Forces.
The family of one of Thunder Bay’s local merchant navy veterans Thornely Christiansen took part in a commemoration ceremony today at City Hall.
Thornley’s son Chris tells us it’s the least they can do to remember their father and his fellow merchant members’ hard work.
“They were really proud of what they did, so we feel we need to carry on that tradition. It’s ingrained in us, and we feel very happy to be coming here and doing this.”
A flag was raised at City Hall today in honour of Merchant Navy Veterans Day.
Thunder Bay’s Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association was formed after the war because the government at the time didn’t recognize the contributions of the merchant navy.
Locally, Thornley Christiansen, Captain Robert Lloyd, Robert Hughes and Bert Vickers helped create the local CMNVA.
