RCAF 4 Wing exercised its Freedom Of The City of Cold Lake last week with a military parade downtown. The occasion was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the 70th anniversary of RCAF Station/Canadian Forces Base/4 Wing in Cold Lake.
“Freedom of the City” is an ancient custom whose roots can be found in ancient Rome. In post-medieval Britain and Europe, it signified a level of appreciation and trust between a city and a military body. It confers the privilege for the unit to parade city streets “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed.”
Cold Lake granted the honour to 4 Wing in 1993. By custom it is only granted once, but may be exercised from time to time when an occasion warrants.
Last week’s parade followed the traditions of the ancient ceremony. 4 Wing Commander Colonel David Turenne led a column of Wing personnel to the doors of City Hall, where an RCMP sentry granted him permission to meet mayor Craig Copeland.
Col Turenne asked Copeland for permission to parade down the city’s main street; Copeland granted the request. From there—with the 4 Wing Band’s drums beating, with flags unfurled, and with bayonets fixed—the column marched into the heart of the city.
Copeland inspected the troops accompanied by Ray Coates, who first granted Freedom Of The City to 4 Wing as mayor in 1993.
“It’s pretty much the coolest thing to do as a mayor, to inspect the troops. It’s quite an honour,” Copeland said in his speech.
“We take our freedom in this country for granted, and I want to thank everyone presently and in the past to have worn a military uniform and placed your life at risk to protect our freedom here in Canada.”
After the parade, Col. Turenne said 4 Wing enjoys an “amazing” relationship with the city. He said Canadians at large can join in the celebration of the RCAF’s centennial.
“I think Canadians should be really proud of the RCAF, and of our incredible history and heritage,” he said. “Members of the RCAF have shaped our country and our standing in the world. They shaped the aviation industry in this country. Our current serving members are active every single day conducting operations. And I’d like to see Canadians be supportive of the RCAF’s future as we go through modernization, which is pretty exciting.”
