Rain doesn’t dampen Esquimalt’s freedom of the township ceremony

CFB Esquimalt marks Esquimalt's centennial year; event a prelude to Buccaneer Days this weekend

  • Jun. 7, 2012 6:00 a.m.
The mayor and the military braved the rain over the noon hour as Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, accompanied by  Guard Commander, Lieutenant (Navy) John Slack, L, and Navy Capt. Craig Baines, CFB Esquimalt Base Commander (behind mayor),  inspected the troops during the Freedom of the Township Parade and Ceremony in front of Esquimalt Municipal Hall.

The mayor and the military braved the rain over the noon hour as Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, accompanied by Guard Commander, Lieutenant (Navy) John Slack, L, and Navy Capt. Craig Baines, CFB Esquimalt Base Commander (behind mayor), inspected the troops during the Freedom of the Township Parade and Ceremony in front of Esquimalt Municipal Hall.



The rain couldn’t stop the parade as 500 military personnel marched down Esquimalt Road to Esquimalt municipal hall Thursday afternoon.

Upon arrival the sailors, air force personnel and soldiers lined up in ranks, and watched as CFB Esquimalt Commander, navy Capt. Craig Baines, use the pommel of his sword to knock three times on the front doors to municipal hall.

Mayor Barb Desjardins answered the door and invited Baines in. She later read a proclamation to the crowd of residents that gathered, granting the military the right to bear arms, with drums beating and colours flying, as they marched through the township.

The two leaders later reviewed the troops, after which the military members marched to HMC Dockyard at the base.

 

Victoria News