Members of Northern Ontario Cadet Corps and a restored a Bren Gun Carrier provided by the Cobalt Bunker Museum on parade during the Freedom of the Municipality parade for Cobalt Sunday. All photos by: Master Warrant Officer Greg Snyder, 33 Canadian Brigade Group, Public Affairs.
Approximately 100 members of The Algonquin Regiment, Army Cadets and volunteers from the Cobalt Bunker Museum were part of the Freedom of the Municipality parade in Cobalt Sunday.
Freedom of the City (or Municipality) is one of the most esteemed honours which can be bestowed on a military unit.
Historically, if a military unit was deemed trustworthy, the unit was granted The Freedom of the City which entitled the unit to march through the street with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed.
This is a particular honour to The Algonquin Regiment who 100 years ago recruited men from the Cobalt and area to serve as soldiers in the First World War.
Tina Sartoretto, Mayor of Cobalt, Ontario grants Freedom of the Municipality to the Algonquin Regiment.
“The parade today was not just symbolic, but moving and emotional as well. Despite the cold many of the town came out to watch the parade and show their support for the Algonquin Regiment,” said Sartoretto.
Army Reservists are members of the community, most of whom have full-time jobs or go to school, and choose to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces part-time.
“This parade was a significant honour for the Regiment," said Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Bryden, Commanding Officer, The Algonquin Regiment.
"It shows the proud history we have with Cobalt – a town which provided many soldiers to the Regiment 100 years ago for the First World War. This parade also shows the strong relationship the Algonquin Regiment has with communities from across the North.”
The Algonquin Regiment is a member of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, a military formation that is made up of 16 Army Reserve units located throughout Eastern and Northern Ontario.
The Algonquin Regiment marches past during the Freedom of the Municipality parade.
In Canada, the Freedom of the City (or Municipality) ceremony is symbolic and has been bestowed on Canadian military units whose origins stem from local militia formed in a particular city or town or to Canadian military units that have won Battle Honours overseas.
Links:
• 33 CBG website http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/33-cbg/index.page
• 33 CBG Facebook http://www.facebook.com/33cbg
• Algonquin Regiment website http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/algonquin-regiment/index.page
• Cadets website http://www.cadets.ca/en/index.page
• Cobalt Bunker Museum http://www.bunkermilitarymuseum.ca/
