Exercising freedom

8 Wing/CFB Trenton couldn’t have picked a more gorgeous day to mark its 85th anniversary.

Over 200 members of 8 wing CFB Trenton marched through downtown Trenton to City Hall exercising Freedom of the City – celebrating a tradition of military units dating back to 15th century England.

Once on City Hall’s door step, Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver banged the hilt of his sword against a circular wooden plate attached to the door and waited for Mayor Jim Harrison to answer, permitting access to the City.

Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver.

Col Colin Keiver

During the War of the Roses, cities were constantly endangered by military units from one side or the other so cities had walls and gates which barred entrance. 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 he would escort their commander to the chambers of the city council.

Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison says it made his heart throb when Colonel Colin Keiver banged the hilt of his sword against a circular wooden plate attached to the door and waited for him to answer permitting access to the City.

Mayor Jim Harrison

Colonel Keiver says the wooden plate was made from a tree cut down during the Highway 2 reconstruction and will be displayed at City Hall.

Following the ceremony everyone gathered at Royal Canadian Legion Trenton Branch 110 where Colonel Keiver and Mayor Harrison signed a ceremonial certificate.