The city of Barrie granted the military an ancient honour today, called Freedom of the City, which gives the military the privilege to march through the city with full fanfare.
1000 soldiers marched in uniform from the Barrie Armoury down to City Hall. They marched carrying Battlefield soil from Vimy, France. This is the same soil thousands of Canadians fought on, and in many cases, died on during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
When referring to the importance of the events Honorary Colonel Jaimie Masse says it is
“For us to remember them and for our children to know the importance of what has transpired. The cost of freedom is not free. The men that gave their lives for this country are very, very important.”
The soil was escorted through the city in two small urns.
“Every day is a proud day to be Canadian,” says one woman watching in the crowd. “When I saw the urns I had goose bumps and almost wished I had some tissue with me.”
Some of the soil will be placed in a war monument at Base Borden. Some was presented to the city of Barrie today in a ceremony at City Hall.
“Today is about celebrating the ties between Barrie and the base,” says Barrie mayor Jeff Lehman.
The events are part of a week-long celebration, marking Base Borden’s 100 year anniversary. There will be an unveiling of the memorial containing the soil later this week at CFB Borden. The following weekend an air show is planned, and more events throughout the summer.
