HMCS DISCOVERY receives Freedom of the City from New Westminster

On October 3, 2010 a rarely held Freedom of the City celebration took place at the New Westminster city hall. 

HMCS Discovery became just the sixth recipient of the Freedom of the City in New Westminster. This honour is rarely given and since the city’s inception in 1859, the City has granted this privilege to four persons and one group, the last one having been granted in 1963.  Such an honour indicates the trust and respect that the City has for the HMCS Discovery and the Canadian Navy.

"Excellent turnout from the Navy, cadets and veterans," said Colin Stevens, the city's manager of museum and archives. "The naval veterans got an excellent round of applause."

It is a very big honour for any military naval unit, and it was a privilege for the Sea Cadets of FRASER, whom were invited to parade alongside the crew of HMCS DISCOVERY and be inspected by the New Westminster Mayor, Wayne Wright.

“Watching the cadets of RCSCC FRASER in this parade behind the immense ranks of HMCS DISCOVERY was so inspiring, and a great showcase for the public.  They can be proud of both their military and the Sea Cadets of their community” said PO1 Aroura Gagnon.

Military units were historically not allowed to march through the city with flags flying, drums beating, bands playing or bayonets fixed as they were seeking recruits, provisions or other unsavory activities. Bestowing the Freedom of the City honour on a military unit indicates that the city trusts that unit implicitly and considers it a friend.

The ceremony is part of a series of events that are commemorating the Canadian Navy’s centennial year . It will replicate a 400-year-old tradition and demonstrate the good relations between the City of New Westminster and HMCS Discovery.

“We are very proud to grant this unique privilege to the men and women of HMCS Discovery in honour of the Canadian Navy’s 100th anniversary,” said Mayor Wayne Wright. “New Westminster has a longstanding connection to our armed forces, and this is a great way to celebrate their immeasurable contribution to Canada throughout our history.”

The City of New Westminster has bestowed the Freedom of the City honour previously on four individuals and one group:
1946 - Lt Col Gordon Corbould
1955 - J. J. Johnston, for attending every May Day for 85 years
1958 - Lt Col John Keefer Mahony (V.C.)
1958 - Sgt E.A. (Smokey) Smith (V.C.)
1963 - The Westminster Regiment

“This is a very unique and special event,” said Lt(N) Megan St. Hilaire, Commanding Officer or RCSCC FRASER.  “It is a rarely granted honour, a once in a lifetime kind of event.  We are so honoured to have been invited to participate alongside HMCS DISCOVERY and show our support for both them and the City of New Westminster.”

The ceremony began with FRASER Sea Cadets marching onto Royal Avenue, followed by HMCS Discovery.  Chief Constable Lorne Zapotichny challenged the parade’s advance.  He then accompanied LCdr Elaine Fisher, Commanding Officer of HMCS Discovery, to the door of city hall where she knocked on the door of city hall with the pommel of her sword – three times.  She then stated the purpose of her visit to Mayor Wayne Wright, who escorted her to the parade and read a proclamation granting Freedom of the City to HMCS Discovery.  

Members of HMCS Discovery, RCSCC FRASER, naval veterans and Navy League Cadets attended the ceremony.  Also in attendance were the New Westminster Pipe Band, the Royal Westminster Regiment Band, as well as members of the New Westminster Police Service and New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service as an honour guard on the steps of city hall.

"It was extremely magnificent," Mayor Wayne Wright said about the event. "It will be one of the most memorable things in my time that I had done here."

Excerpts taken from the New Westminster Record.