City of Ottawa salutes local war veterans

Ottawa marked the start of Veterans’ Week (November 5 to 11) with a candlelight tribute ceremony at the Canadian War Museum this evening, hosted by Mayor Jim Watson and the Honourable Kent Hehr ** _ , _ ** Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

The ceremony marked the first in a week of events offering residents the opportunity to recognize the contributions made by local veterans and to honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in service to Canada.

“With the symbolic passing of the torch of remembrance from veterans to youth, we are reminded of a simple truth: that the world is a better place because of the generations of brave Canadian men and women who have served and continue to serve their country,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “For all they have given our country and our community, in times of conflict and at times of peace, we owe them our unending gratitude.”

Following the act of remembrance, Mayor Watson announced the latest veteran honoured through the City’s Veterans’ Commemorative Street Naming program. This year the City is honouring Vice Admiral Ralph Hennessy, D.C.S., C.D.

Born to an army family, Vice Admiral Hennessy chose a career instead with the Royal Canadian Navy – the first Hennessy in four generations not to serve in the British Army in time of war. While he broke from family tradition, he nevertheless distinguished himself with a long and illustrious career that included service during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

“At his passing in 2014 at the age of 95, he was Canada’s oldest living vice admiral,” noted Mayor Watson. “For a life so dedicated to Canada’s Armed Forces, it seems only just that Vice Admiral Hennessy join the ranks of the other brave local men and women whose lives have already been celebrated through the Veterans’ Commemorative Street Naming program.”

Vice Admiral Hennessy was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on September 5, 1918 and passed away on June 13, 2014. The Mayor offered his thanks and presented Mrs. Diana E. Hennessy with a replica of the street sign for Ralph Hennessy Avenue, a new street in the community of Riverside South.

The City of Ottawa wishes to thank Urbandale Corporation for providing this street to the Veterans’ Commemorative Street Naming program.