Post by Administrator on Sept 5, 2009 18:32:19 GMT
Possible Headlines, National media / press:
20 YEARS OLD: The Merchant Navy Association was established in 1989
10 YEARS YOUNG: The decision to hold a Merchant Navy Day was announced by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in September 1999. Merchant Navy Day has been held every year since 2000, on September 3.
70th ANNIVERSARY: Commencement Second World War, the Second World War began with the sinking of the British passenger ship SS. Athenia.
FIRST TIME: The Red Ensign will fly for the very first time ever on Tower Bridge on Sunday 6 September 2009 to mark Merchant Navy Day. The Red Ensign will be flying while a Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service takes place at nearby Trinity Gardens, Tower Hill, London. It is believed that it is the very first time that any flag other than the Union Jack has been flown from this iconic bridge, and we are also thrilled that the ‘first time’ should mark such an important occasion.
A DECADE: The Department for Transport will mark a decade of Merchant Navy Days in the UK tomorrow (Thursday 3 rd September) by flying the Red Ensign over its Westminster headquarters. Ten years after it was introduced, Merchant Navy Day continues to celebrate the British shipping industry as well as providing an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by merchant seamen over the years.
OVER 40,000: merchant seafarers of many different nationalities died in the course of the wars and it is important to remember their contribution and mark their sacrifice. The Merchant Navy was as important then, as it is today.
MEDIA ATTENTION: The Sailors’ Society launches a Sea of Remembrance at Trinity Gardens.
The International seafaring charity Sailors’ Society is asking supporters to remember the sacrifices veterans and current seafarers have made, on 6 September, Merchant Navy Day 2009.
It is hoped that the threat and media attention surrounding piracy, particularly off the coast of Somalia in recent months, will see even more support for the Sailors’ Society’s Sea of Remembrance Campaign. In recent years 2000 flags, sent in by supporters and loved ones of seafarers, have been planted at Trinity Gardens, London.
NO MAJOR NATIONAL NEWS OR MEDIA COVERAGE: The British Merchant Navy lost a greater proportion of its number than any of the armed services, yet is routinely ignored by the media who apparently forget that without the dedication of these volunteer, civilian seamen the war would surely have been lost. There would have been no raw materials to build armaments, no fuel to drive industry and the war machine, and, most importantly of all, no food supplies for Britain to feed her people.
Will be at Tower Hill and on returning home, will scour the TV Networks and the National press on Monday. I have little faith, thank you to all the regional / local reporters that both bother and care. Nationals – Would love to see you prove me wrong. KG.
MERCHANT NAVY DAY - September 3rd
Take a little care this day and glance above the tiles,
Perchance to see a flagpole visible for miles,
Atop of it a red flag proudly whipping tight,
A Merchant Navy ensign flying there by right.
From important buildings as well as from the sea.
It’s flown to honour mariners and shipping history,
Sailing through the years, transporting all the freight,
Conserving of the lifelines keeping Britain great.
If you glance aloft and see with knowing eye,
A `duster` at the masthead when you're passing by,
Please inform your offspring while going on to say,
A debt is owed to seamen under colours flown today.
Joe Earl
We at Tregenna have full permission to use the works of Captain Joe Earl in tribute, we ask that you respect this work and contact us at Her Name Was SS. If you wish to reproduce any of the same, we will contact Joe on your behalf and request permission for you: hernamewas.ss@tiscali.co.uk
