The streets of Maidstone saw a military march with fixed bayonets and band to honour the vessel, which has played a vital part in the safety of Kent over the years.
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00:00 For the first time, the freedom of the county has been awarded by the Kent County Council,
00:06 given to HMS Kent.
00:08 To commemorate this historic landmark, a military march was held through the Straits of Maidstone,
00:14 with drums, fixed bayonets and flying colours.
00:19 The award was given for the outstanding service of the Royal Navy Brigade, the first time
00:24 this achievement has been given to a UK armed service group.
00:29 The freedom is largely a symbolic award in the sense that it recognises and acknowledges
00:38 the contribution that HMS Kent and the ship's company have paid to Kent over many, many
00:44 years through visits to the county themselves, through interacting with schools and the people
00:52 of Kent more generally, and indeed with people in Kent County Council.
00:57 The Type 23 Duke Class Frigate became the first ship to serve in the 21st Century Royal
01:04 Navy back in June of 2000.
01:08 Since its commission, the vessel has seen sights from all over the globe, from the Persian
01:13 Gulf to the Horn of Africa, succeeding in many illegal cargo, anti-piracy and anti-drug
01:22 missions.
01:23 My family are incredibly proud, both of what I do and of the ship.
01:28 Unfortunately, they live in Swansea, so it's a little bit far to come.
01:33 Unlike the Army, which tend to be based in a county and move there, the Navy's got three
01:39 main naval bases in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane, and we recruit from all around the
01:43 country.
01:44 So, yes, we have ship's company from Kent, but we also have ship's company from Scotland
01:49 to Devon, from all over the Commonwealth, from New Zealand, Australia, the Caribbean
01:55 and Africa.
01:56 So, a very diverse ship's company, and incredibly proud of all of them today, as we've had the
02:01 freedom of the county.
02:03 Today's ceremony has no doubt brought attention to the work of the crew themselves.
02:07 Yes, definitely.
02:08 I think any type of public event where we get to dress up in uniform and everyone can
02:15 see we're just like every other man and woman in the country, we've just got a different
02:20 job and I definitely know people have already come up to me and asked what do I do and what
02:27 do I bring to the Royal Navy as well.
02:29 So it's good for the exposure for the Royal Navy and it's been good for us to be able
02:33 to talk about what we're proud of as well.
02:35 With many of their friends and family coming to celebrate, the crew of HMS Kent will certainly
02:41 carry the memory of today for the rest of their lives.
02:45 Henry Luck for KMTV in Maidstone.