423rd ABG presented with ancient honor allowing them privilege of marching into English cities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
HUNTINGDON, United Kingdom --  Members of the 423rd Air Base Group at Royal Air Force (RAF) Alconbury and RAF Molesworth marched through the streets of Huntingdon when the Huntingdonshire District Council granted the group the Freedom of the District of Huntingdonshire April 20.
 
This is the first time a U.S. Visiting Forces unit has been given this ancient honor.

The Freedom of the District honor, which extends beyond a city and includes an entire borough or metropolitan area, is similar to the Freedom of the City designation, which granted military organizations the privilege to march into a city, usually after a triumphant military victory. 

The honor dates back to ancient Rome, which regarded the boundary of the city as sacred. Lawmakers and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their power to command immediately upon crossing it. An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only. Under the Republic, soldiers also lost their status when entering and became ordinary citizens; thus, the soldiers of victorious generals wore civilian dress. Weapons were also banned inside the boundary for religious and traditional reasons.

Similar laws were passed by other European cities throughout the Medieval era to protect public security and civic rights.  These laws even applied to a king's own troops.  As a result, soldiers were forced to camp outside the walls of the city during the winter months. The Freedom of the City was an honor granted only to troops who earned the trust of the local populace, either through some valiant action or simply by being a familiar presence.

Today, military Freedom of the City is an entirely ceremonial honor, usually bestowed upon a unit with historic ties to the area, as a token of appreciation for its long and dedicated service.

"This is a huge honor for us," said Col. Michael Reiner, 423rd Air Base Group commander, in a speech addressed to district officials and citizens.  "When I read the history of this tradition, the key concept I noted was 'trust.'  In ancient times, there was a great distrust between military forces and the townspeople - and in many cases, this uneasy wariness was well deserved due to the misconduct of the warriors.

"However, today, we find a much different relationship.  As U.S. Visiting Forces, we recognize our presence in your country is a privilege, not a right," Reiner continued.  "While the mission and unit designations of the U.S. Visiting Forces at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth have changed a few times over the past 70 years, our guided principle remains constant - we want to be seen not only as your closest ally in defense of our common security objectives, but also as trusted members of the local communities."

The parade through Huntingdon included the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Hugh Duberly, the Queen's personal representative; the 423rd ABG honor guard; the RAF Wyton Band; district dignitaries and members of the 423rd ABG. The group marched from the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon High Street to the Pathfinder House on St Mary's Street. After the parade, Huntingdonshire District Council Chairman Councilor Barbara Boddington presented Reiner with a scroll honoring the group with the Freedom of the District designation.

"Thank you all for coming here today to celebrate this historic event," said Boddington. "We are honored and delighted with the consensus of all members of the council to hand over the Freedom of the District of Huntingdonshire to the bases at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth.  I am sure you all will agree that the turnout today represents the wonderful partnership we have with our local Armed Forces."

The scroll Boddington presented to the 423rd ABG reads: "The 423D Air Base Group at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth are admitted as Honorary Freedom of Huntingdonshire by the Chairman of the Council.  Councillor Barabara Boddington, Huntingdonshire District Council, 20 April 2013"

"The scroll presented to me today validates our success in building this relationship of trust and will serve as a continuing reminder to the men and women of this group of the importance of maintaining this position of trust into the future," said Reiner.

"For me, and I'm sure for my fellow Americans who share this honor, the Freedom of the District will always be remembered not by the words inscribed on this parchment scroll, but by the warm smiling faces of the people of the Huntingdon District who so honored us this day and who so richly welcome us every day," said Reiner.