The 31 Service Battalion marches on Park St E in downtown Windsor following a parade and review on June 10, 2017 (Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News)The 31 Service Battalion marches on Park St E in downtown Windsor following a parade and review on June 10, 2017 (Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News)
Windsor

Battalion Holds Freedom of the City March

The newly formed 31 Service Battalion conducted a Freedom of the City march in downtown Windsor Saturday.

The 31 Service Battalion is made up of military support staff from Windsor, Hamilton, and London. The three units merged this year to create the new unit.

"We provide combat service support in the field. To give you some examples, we provide weapons tech, we provide transportation, logistics, maintenance, repairs, meals, water, shelter, all the things that are needed for the soldiers in the field," says Honorary Lt. Colonel Keith Henry

The parade of around 80 members marched from the cenotaph in downtown Windsor to City Hall to request the "freedom of the city" from the mayor, which was granted in a proclamation read by Mayor Drew Dilkens.

"Freedom of the City is about mutual respect between the community and the military. Basically as we serve throughout either in Canada or abroad we also have the respect of the community. It allows us to train in a free type of atmosphere," says Major Catherine Wollocombe.

The cadets and the Windsor Military Band also participated in the march.

--with files from Mark Brown--

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