It began with the rhythmic sound of over 350 smartly dressed military personnel marching through downtown Winnipeg. At the front of the column was Col J.R.B. Proulx, Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg.

As they neared City Hall, the formation was stopped by City of Winnipeg Police Chief and Col Proulx was escorted to the front doors of the Council Building. Drawing a ceremonial sword, he knocked three times and requested an audience with the Mayor.

Such were the opening moments of the Freedom of the City ceremony held Tuesday, October 20th at City Hall. This practice originated during the middle ages, when walled city-states waged war upon one another with the help of hired armies. Owing allegiance only to the highest bidder, these mercenaries would often turn upon the city they had been paid to protect. The looting and mayhem that resulted did nothing to inspire the citizens’ trust in their military forces.

Even when a local army was hired, it was necessary to lock both them and the attacking army outside the city walls. When the fighting was finished, the inhabitants of the city paid the victors from atop the ramparts. Obviously, confidence in their soldiers was low.

Only when the defending army was from a neighboring city and brought honour upon the city they were protecting would the soldiers be granted certain privileges. For example, the troops would be allowed to beat their drums inside the city walls. This was very useful in amassing the crowds necessary to get new recruits and gave rise to the expression “drumming-up support” for a cause.

They would also be allowed to march with their unit standard, their “colours,” deployed, proudly proclaiming their identity. For the illiterate soldier of the day, the colours were the rallying point during a battle. It was considered a great disgrace, if not outright defeat, if an army’s colours were captured by the opposing force.

Permission to bear arms within the city walls was a privilege that was carefully guarded. It showed considerable trust by the citizens in their troops. After the invention of the musket, this confidence was expressed by granting them the privilege of marching with bayonets fixed.

Perhaps the ultimate expression of faith and trust was when a city allowed an army to take up residence within the city’s walls. During a time when allegiances were made and broken for convenience sake alone, this was a cherished privilege.

The right to confer this honour is held only by civic leaders; neither any provincial official nor even the Prime Minister himself may grant Freedom of the City. It is formal recognition of the special relationship between the people of Winnipeg and the members of the Canadian Forces and is held for all time.

The contribution of the people of Winnipeg to Canada’s military forces throughout this troubled century is considerable. In fact, Royal Canadian Air Force Station Winnipeg, officially opened in 1925, was one of Canada’s first air bases.

During World War II, RCAF Station Winnipeg became a major Air Force Base as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. More than 130,000 pilots, observers and wireless operators served the Allied cause having been trained in Canada under this plan.

After the war, RCAF Station Winnipeg saw an increase in training activities. Over 5,000 aircrew from Britain, France, Denmark and Belgium were trained here in Winnipeg.

The current CFB Winnipeg was formed in November 1966, following the unification of the Canadian Forces. Base consolidation resulted in the combining of the former RCAF Station Winnipeg and the Fort Osborne Army Barracks.

CFB Winnipeg is now the fourth largest employer in the city, after all three levels of Government. It directly contributes almost $210 million to the local economy and contracts-out almost $800 million annually. CFB Winnipeg also provides technical and logistical support to some 112 units, stretching from Thunder Bay to Shilo, from the 49th Parallel to Canada’s high Arctic.

We have come a long way since the times when undisciplined soldiers were looked upon with suspicion and distrust by the residents of a city. Today’s servicemen and women contribute actively to all facets of life in the city; from assisting at major sports events such as the Grey Cup, to charity fundraising, to disaster relief during blizzards or floods.

The Freedom of the City is formal recognition of the esteem the people of Winnipeg hold for the military members stationed here. It is an honour and a privilege for which CFB Winnipeg can be proud.