Joel Goldenberg – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Town of Hampstead held its annual Freedom of the City ceremony, which began 15 years ago, and this year was granted to the Canadian Grenadier Guards.

The ceremony was mainly held at the Adessky Community Centre, and featured Mayor Jeremy Levi, all the members of the town council and members of the CGG, and a large audience. D’Arcy McGee MNA Elisabeth Prass was also in attendance. The planned parade through the town’s streets was cancelled due to rain.

In a statement prior to the event, the town pointed out that “this tradition, rooted in British and Canadian history, symbolizes the strong bond between the regiment and the community.”

Mayor Levi told the gathering that the ceremony represents an “extraordinary moment in our town’s history.

“We are gathered here not only to confer the Freedom of the City honour but to pay tribute to an exceptional group of individuals whose valour and commitment to justice have left an indelible mark on our world,” he said. “This honour is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a recognition of the sacrifices made by this remarkable regiment, sacrifices that paved the path of freedom for future Canadians….Today, as we gather in this beautiful town of Hampstead, we celebrate their valour, their legacy, and the role they played in shaping the destiny of our great nation.”

Levi also highlighted the CGG’s exceptional role in liberating the Netherlands town of De Grotestratt Le Borne during World War II, saying it “symbolized the triumph of good over evil, the liberation of the oppressed, and the restoration of human dignity…. The liberation reminds us that the Canadian Grenadier Guards were not just soldiers but bearers of hope and symbols of a better future.”

Levi also pointed out that the CGG has “also been pivotal in preserving the memory of their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of freedom,” including Sergeant Samuel (Moe) Hurwitz.

“Moe Hurwitz was not just a soldier but a symbol of the diversity and inclusivity that define Canada. Born in Montreal in 1919, he was the eighth child of 13 born to Bella and Chaim Hurwitz. He was a proud Canadian whose family had immigrated to this great nation from Russia, seeking a better life and the promise of freedom. It was the same promise that motivated Moe to join the Canadian Grenadier Guards….He made his mark at a time when prejudice and discrimination were still prevalent in many parts of the world. Yet, he, along with many others, served our country with unwavering dedication, transcending differences to protect the values that bind us together. The dedication of a room in the armory to Moe is a poignant and meaningful gesture, representing more than just a physical space. It symbolizes the enduring bond between the Canadian Grenadier Guards and their comrade-in-arms, Moe, and serves as a lasting reminder of his contributions and the values he upheld.”

Levi also spoke about the current war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, saying that in the face of adversity, “Israel has demonstrated remarkable resilience and resolve. Just as the Canadian Grenadier Guards have defended the freedom and principles of Canada, the people of Israel have stood up to protect their homeland, the values of democracy, and the right to live in peace. It is a testament to their commitment to preserving freedom in a region marked by complexity and conflict.”

“Thank you, Canadian Grenadier Guards, for your service and for embodying the values that both Canada and Israel hold dear. This moment serves as a reminder of the shared commitment to these values, and it is our hope that it contributes to the collective efforts to achieve peace, security, and freedom in the region and around the world.”

Commanding Lieutenant-Colonel Joe Nunez thanked the town for bestowing the honour on the CGG, and added that “the Freedom of the City is a very old tradition, one that we, the CGG, intend to exercise yearly depending on our status as a regiment.

“2024 and 2025 will see many of the Grenadiers standing in the back of the room perhaps deployed overseas, representing Canada and its various commitments around the world.”

Nunez also presented the Mayor and council with a “unique Grenadier coin” inscribed with the words “Twice the soldier.

“The men and women of this regiment have the ability to excel both in the scarlet tunic as they did today and in a combat uniform as they will do tomorrow.” n