Freedom of the City Ceremony and Parade
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HISTORY
The Freedom of the City ceremony is an example of a military tradition, which began in the 15th century in England. During the War of the Roses, cities were constantly endangered by marauding military units from one side or the other. Before a city would admit a military unit inside its walls, the chief constable would demand to know the reason the soldiers wished to enter the city and then escort their commander to the chambers of city council. If the leaders felt the unit could be trusted, it was granted the privilege known as "Freedom of the City". This entitled the unit to enter the city with drums beating, banners flying, and bayonets fixed.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY CEREMONY TODAY
Today, the granting of the Freedom of the City is a traditional means for a municipality to honour a unit of the Canadian Forces and is a private matter between civic officials and the unit concerned. The decision to grant this freedom rests with municipal authorities.
While other units from Canadian Forces Base Kingston have been granted Freedom of the City in the past, the Communications and Electronics Branch had never requested this privilege.
On Sunday, August 31, 2003, members of the Communications and Electronics Branch of the Canadian Forces Base Kingston will parade through the streets of Kingston to demonstrate their privilege to exercise their Freedom of the City. The parade will depart Fort Frontenac for City Hall where Her Worship, the Mayor of Kingston, Isabel Turner will read the proclamation granting Freedom of the City to the Branch.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
- The unit to be granted the Freedom of the City marches toward City Hall, in column of route, colours/flags cased and bayonets unfixed.
- As the unit approaches City Hall, the chief of police stands in the centre of the road to bar the unit from proceeding further and the unit halts at the barrier.
- The chief of police challenges the unit on its identity and the commanding officer responds with the unit's title. The chief of police then calls for the unit to "Advance and be recognized", and the commanding officer advances to the barrier.
- The commanding officer, accompanied by the chief of police, then marches to the front door of city hall and knocks on the door three times with the pommel of his sword.
- The door is opened and the commanding officer declares his name and that of his unit.
- The mayor then reads the proclamation proclaiming the Freedom of the City.
- The commanding officer accepts the Freedom of the City and orders his unit to uncase colours/flags and fix bayonets.
- The unit then proceeds to City Hall and marches past, with the mayor taking the salute.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY PARADE SCHEDULE AND ROUTE
3:30 p.m.
Freedom of the City Parade leaves Fort Frontenac and moves to City Hall
4:00 p.m.
Freedom of City Ceremony at City Hall
