Statement made on 04 May 2010 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, this year we mark the centennial of the Canadian Navy. Canada, as a maritime nation, came into its own through its actions during conflicts over the past 100 years, in large part due to our navy.
Many events and activities are taking place throughout Canada this year to mark the impact of Canada's navy. Indeed, many Canadians celebrated the Battle of Atlantic this past Sunday.
Additionally, His Honour was one of the hosts of a ceremony held in this chamber just hours ago. The ceremony was held to mark the centennial with the dedication of the Canadian Naval Centennial Bell, since today marks the one hundredth anniversary of the Naval Service Act, which was given Royal Assent in this chamber 100 years ago today.
This truly moving ceremony was to rededicate the navy to the next 100 years of service to Canada. The bell was christened with the combined waters of Canada's oceans and seaways, as well as the oceans of the world. Honourable senators would have been so proud of all of our Senate pages, some of whom read poems while others in the gallery sang music and did a moving rendition of "Hallelujah." We should be very proud of the young people working with us in this chamber.
Honourable senators, the theme of the Canadian Naval Centennial is to "bring the navy to Canadians." My family is no stranger to service in the Royal Canadian Navy. My sister-in-law's father, Petty Officer Laurent Bertrand, went down with the HMCS Athabaskan in the English Channel in 1944. My own father, Chief Petty Officer Bob Mercer, and his shipmates captured an enemy U-boat off the coast of Nova Scotia as the Second World War was coming to an end.
As a proud son of a sailor and the proud father of a son who today wears a naval officer's uniform in the reserves, teaching young cadets, I encourage all honourable senators to take part in other events to commemorate the impact the navy has and will continue to have in Canada. I congratulate the Canadian Navy and all the men and women who do so much to protect Canada's way of life. I offer this to all of them and to all of those we have lost:
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to
Thee For those in peril on the sea!