Premier Kathy Dunderdale
Inauguration Ceremony, MV Blue Puttees
Friday, February 11, 2011

(Please Check Against Delivery)

Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Honourable Peter MacKay
Honourable Rob Merrifield
Honourable Tom Hedderson
Senator Manning
Lieutenant-Colonel F.A. Brennen
Ladies and gentleman:

I am delighted to join you here today for the christening of Marine Atlantic�s newest vessel, the MV Blue Puttees.

Today�s inauguration ceremony is exciting for Newfoundland and Labrador as this new state-of-the-art ferry will service the very important transportation link between Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Canada. With the majority of our province surrounded by water, marine service has always been an extremely important issue for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Improvement in service is an ongoing and welcome necessity. The ferry link is imperative to supporting tourism to our province, as well as the import and export of goods.

This new vessel is extremely important to our province, and its name holds historical significance and meaning for our people, as it refers to a poignant pride we have in the men who bore the name �the Blue Puttees.� The �First Five Hundred� to sign up for the Newfoundland Regiment in World War I was an enthusiastic army of volunteers, ready to fight for freedom. Their uniforms were made from scratch and, as a result of a shortage of khaki broadcloth, the puttees � the part of the uniform on the lower leg � were created from blue broadcloth.

The Newfoundland Regiment was thus given the nickname "The Blue Puttees." A majority of the Newfoundland Regiment � the Blue Puttees � sadly, later paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of the Somme at Beaumont-Hamel in 1916. Of the 801 members of the Blue Puttees, only 68 responded to the roll call the next morning.

The brave Newfoundlanders faced the barrage of bullets with tenacity and courage. As row after row was mowed down, they kept advancing toward the enemy. The Divisional Commander wrote of their effort: "It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further." We are proud of this heritage as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and we are pleased this new vessel will commemorate these heroic men who courageously defended our rights and freedoms.

This very tenacity, as demonstrated by the Blue Puttees and our forefathers, perseveres today in the hearts and minds of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Just as they fought for freedom with determination and courage, refusing to look back, so will we continue to strive to realize the legitimate aspirations of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The MV Blue Puttees was a significant undertaking by Marine Atlantic and signals an important milestone towards a modern and efficient ferry service for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and our visitors.

I congratulate Marine Atlantic for this new ferry which will provide an enhanced experience for its customers. I commend your commitment to ensuring safe, reliable and efficient ferry service for the long term.