City of Brantford representatives recognized the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Admiral Nelles, Navy League Cadet Corps Admiral Landymore and Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Starfighter during a ceremonial Freedom of the City parade on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed upon military units, organizations or individuals in recognition of their exceptional service and dedication. The ceremonial tradition dates back to medieval times and symbolizes the recipient’s exceptional loyalty and contribution to the local community.
The ceremony, which included a parade and a series of traditional rituals, kicked off at 10:00 a.m. when over 200 cadets marched from the Brantford Armoury towards City Hall.
Upon arrival, the Commanding Officers of each corps approached Jason Saunders, Deputy Chief of the Brantford Police Service and Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, to demand the right to exercise the Freedom of the City. After consulting with Councillors, Davis then granted them permission.
Following the singing of the national anthem, Davis then read the official proclamation to authorize the action and officially granted them access to the City.
“Now therefore, be it resolved that in recognition of the municipality’s long and esteemed relationship with the units, the Council of the corporation of the City of Bradford does hereby bestow upon the 135th Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Admiral Nelles, the 26th Navy League Cadet Corps Admiral Landymore and the 104th Royal Canadian Air Cadet,” he read.
In response, each of the Commanding Officers, on behalf of past, current and future members, accepted the prestigious honour and solemnly declared to pursue the highest standards of excellence and to represent the city with pride.
After unsheathing the flags, removing the barricades, and a performance of “God Save the King,” David McKee, Brantford’s Town Crier then made one of his famous declarations.
“Honourable Commanding Officers, worthy cadets, most welcome visitors from near and far. Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to martial organizations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed. This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded the boundary of the city as sacred,” he said. “Over time, the tradition of Freedom of the City has become ceremonial and recognizes service and dedication. Thus, on this day, the fair City of Brantford is happy to bestow the honour of Freedom of the City upon Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Admiral Nelles, Royal Navy League Cadet Corps Admiral Landymore and Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Starfighter. It is my privilege to proclaim this day to be Freedom of the City Cay in the fair city of Brantford, proclaimed this fifth day of October, 2024.”
The highest-ranking cadets then performed their triple cheer to honour the City of Brantford.
“Ship, ship, hooray! Ship, ship hooray! Ship, ship, hooray!”
To conclude the ceremony, the cadets marched past for the Mayor and dignitaries as they headed back to the armoury.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
