MONUMENT DEDICATION TO U.S. POWS -- MAY 2005

UNCLAS HALIFAX 000014

SIPDIS

STATE PASS VETERANS AFFAIRS
OTTAWA FOR POL, PA AND DAO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL CASC CA
SUBJECT: MONUMENT DEDICATION TO U.S. POWS -- MAY 2005


1. SUMMARY: We are working with the city, armed forces and a
historical society on a ceremony to dedicate a Veterans
Affairs-provided monument to nearly 200 Americans who died near
Halifax during the War of 1812. The event will have a high
profile and has the potential to reinforce our excellent ties
with the Canadian Forces and at the same time generate some good
press. Action requests in para five. END SUMMARY.


2. Consulate staff met January 21 with representatives of
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM),the Canadian Armed Forces
and a local historical society to discuss planning for a
ceremony to commemorate a monument to U.S. prisoners of war who
died near Halifax during the War of 1812. The U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs is contributing the monument, inscribed with
close to 200 names of captured Americans who died at Melville
Island prison and were buried nearby on what has come to be
known as Deadman's Island, actually a small isthmus on the west
side of the Halifax peninsula.


3. With the arrival of the stone in Halifax scheduled for
April, we are anticipating a Memorial Day (May 30) dedication
ceremony. HRM, the Canadian Army and Navy and the historical
society are eager to support in any way they can this tribute to
fallen Americans -- soldiers, sailors, marines as well as
private citizens. Deadman's Island has attracted a considerable
amount of attention -- including Congressional interest -- in
the U.S. since it was saved from development and purchased by
HRM and protected as a historic site. In 2000 local groups
supported a somewhat impromptu commemoration on the island by a
visiting U.S. Air National Guard unit and look forward to the
opportunity to help us put on a more structured ceremony.
( has a "Boston Globe"
report on the event and a brief history of the burial site.)
Later in 2005 HRM expects to receive a formal designation of
Deadman's Island as a National Historic Site by the Canadian
Historic Sites and Monuments Board.


4. COMMENT: It's not every day that one finds Canadian groups
eager and willing to help us commemorate and respect American
war dead. This event has the potential to generate good press
and good feeling, as well as give us an opportunity to stress
the importance we attach to continued close cooperation with the
Canadian Forces.
END COMMENT.


5. ACTION REQUESTS:

-- If a new Ambassador has arrived at post, we would appreciate
serious consideration being given to his/her participation in
the May 30 ceremony. Other introductory calls in Halifax and
the surrounding area could be set up in conjunction with the
event.

-- We would appreciate assistance in identifying appropriate
U.S. military assets that might participate in a May 30
ceremony. We will seek participation of the USN exchange
chaplain scheduled to arrive this spring. Other U.S.
participation could range from an honor guard to a USN or USCG
vessel anchored off the site to an aircraft flyby.

HILL