There may be only one veteran of the Battle of the Atlantic left in Qualicum Beach, but that doesn’t mean the annual service to mark that bitter conflict is going to fade away anytime soon.
Prior to Sunday’s 10th annual event, Kirby said he was hearing mutterings from some Legion members that it might be an idea to stop holding the service, as few people were attending. However, with 130 people crowding into the Legion hall, Kirby said there’s a good chance it will continue.
• It may have had a slow start this spring, but yacht racing action in Deep Bay has caught the wind and is well underway, says Deep Bay Yacht Club spokesperson Don Manness.
The club was out in force on the weekend, with a race leaving the dock at 11 a.m. Sunday and heading up Baynes Sound.
“The thermals gave us a light breeze up to Ships Point, where we where stopped and drifting with the currents,” Manness said. “Finally we decided to call off the race. We dropped our sails and began our return.”
As luck would have it, within five minutes the wind filled in again.
“We all had a great sail back anyway, he said. “Some sailed up to the lighthouse and back to the clubhouse for the barbecue and refreshments.”
• Canadian warships began sporting a whole new look this week after the Canadian Navy adopted a new ensign.
The move marks the first time since 1965 that the Canadian maple leaf has not been the predominant flag flying on navy ships.
The new ensign made its debut on May 5 to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and it might be familiar to anyone who served on Canadian warships during that crucial struggle.
The new Naval Jack is reminiscent of the ensign flown during that time, except the Canadian maple leaf is featured in the upper left hand corner of the flag, rather than the Union Jack.