Wave of memories hits navy veterans reunited at Military Museums

Hundreds of naval veterans from across the province are mustering at the Military Museums in Calgary this weekend, where they will "Splice the Mainbrace" on Sunday afternoon.

Among them is retired Lt.-Cmdr. Richard Mathews, 98, who joined the Royal Canadian Navy in Calgary in 1939.

"It brings back a lot of memories," he said as he walked into the museum Saturday.

"I can't believe what they have here."

After joining up, Mathews was first sent to the naval base in Esquimalt — on Vancouver Island — for four months of training before being stationed on the east coast on one of the country's first ships with mine sweeping capabilities.

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"I started doing tours there… chasing submarines in the Caribbean area with two other cruisers," he said.

Following that, Mathews returned to Esquimalt for more training, where he was made a Sub.-Lt. and sent back to the east coast, again doing mine sweeping operations during wartime

He finished his career in 1965 in Calgary as the executive officer of the reserve base.

Richard's wife, Iris, said it's important to teach young people about the history of Canada's navy.

"Especially now with what's going on in the world, the Middle East, refugees, Russia, it's just coming at us from all angles," she said.

"We are safe and we are free because of these veterans from [the First World War] and [Second World War]."

Officials are working to better keep track of aging naval veterans, said retired captain Bill Wilson, 92, himself a D-Day veteran.  

"We figure there's about 2,000 to 3,000 just in this area, ex-navy, and we want to find them," he said.

"Once navy always navy. Whether you're in for three years or 30 years, it sticks with you."

The reunion continues from 10 a.m .to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Military Museums, with the National Band of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve scheduled to perform at 1 p.m. before the order will be given to "Splice the Mainbrace" — a practise of rewarding sailors with an extra ration of rum.