Exercising the Freedom of the City of Vancouver
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA was granted the Freedom of the City of Vancouver on 12 June, 1977. The Freedom of the City, in military terms, is an honour conferred by a city council upon a military unit, which grants that unit the privilege of marching into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed". The honour is usually bestowed upon local regiments, in recognition of their dedicated service, and it is common for military units to periodically exercise their freedom by arranging a parade through the city. The Regiment received permission to parade their freedom Downtown Vancouver using the old Courthouse as the destination for the parade.
On 22 April 1995 The Regiment exercised their freedom of the city with a parade downtown. The Parade was led by the Regimental Band with the Director of Music, Captain Richard Van Slyke marching beside the front rank as they make their way downtown. Warrant Officer Ken Surges is on the right.
The Band is followed by the Parade Second in Command, Major Leon Jensen and the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Vic Yano. Captain Steve Watkins leads the first battery with Second Lieutenant Scott Waldman and Lieutenant Iska Scholl. Master Warrant Officer Jim Jacobson, Sergeant Rob Wishnicki and Donato Calogero form the Senior Non-Commissioned cadre.
The second contingent is led by Captain Steve Burridge with Lieutenant Dave Scott and Second Lieutenant Isaak Skuce. Master Warrant Officer John McClelland, Sergeant George Lenis and Sergeant Keith Laing form the Senior Non-Commissioned cadre. The Adjutant, Captain Dave Montrose follows up the rear
Members of the Regiment that returned from Cyprus last year stand out in their United Nations berets. A General Salute is given to the Mayor of Vancouver, Philip Owen. The Mayor inspects the soldiers on parade and has a quick chat with a few of them including Gunner Lani Jakimchuk, Sergeant George Lenis and Sergeant Donato Calogero. The Inspection continues through each of the Batteries on parade.
Captain Richard Van Slyke guides the Mayor through the Band.
Lieutenant Grayson McCready leads the mayor over to the dais for a few words to the soldiers and spectators.
Almost as soon as it began, the Parade is over and everyone heads back to Bessborough Armoury for a couple of beers.
The Band is followed by the Parade Second in Command, Major Leon Jensen and the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Vic Yano. Captain Steve Watkins leads the first battery with Second Lieutenant Scott Waldman and Lieutenant Iska Scholl. Master Warrant Officer Jim Jacobson, Sergeant Rob Wishnicki and Donato Calogero form the Senior Non-Commissioned cadre.
The second contingent is led by Captain Steve Burridge with Lieutenant Dave Scott and Second Lieutenant Isaak Skuce. Master Warrant Officer John McClelland, Sergeant George Lenis and Sergeant Keith Laing form the Senior Non-Commissioned cadre. The Adjutant, Captain Dave Montrose follows up the rear
Members of the Regiment that returned from Cyprus last year stand out in their United Nations berets. A General Salute is given to the Mayor of Vancouver, Philip Owen. The Mayor inspects the soldiers on parade and has a quick chat with a few of them including Gunner Lani Jakimchuk, Sergeant George Lenis and Sergeant Donato Calogero. The Inspection continues through each of the Batteries on parade.
Captain Richard Van Slyke guides the Mayor through the Band.
Lieutenant Grayson McCready leads the mayor over to the dais for a few words to the soldiers and spectators.
Almost as soon as it began, the Parade is over and everyone heads back to Bessborough Armoury for a couple of beers.
