Friday August 28th 2015
Midlothian Council will commemorate Merchant Navy Day on Thursday 3 September by flying the Red Ensign flag from Midlothian House.
The gesture is to show support for the seafarers on which the UK depends.
The 3 September date was chosen as Merchant Navy Day because on that day in 1939, the first day of World War 2, SS Athenia was the first merchant ship to be torpedoed and sunk with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
The Chief Executive of Midlothian Council, Kenneth Lawrie said: “We feel it’s important to honour this day as a mark of respect to all those people, local or otherwise, who serve or have served in the Merchant Navy. Merchant seamen and women are often unsung heroes. Flying the flag will show our gratitude for their courage and dedication.”
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