1980 Cornwallis alumni Tony Hall is looking forward to reconnecting with friends after 45 years away from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cornwallis.
“It’s an opportunity to get together and tell stories,” says Hall, coordinating an August 22 and 23 reunion for recruits and instructors who attended CFB Cornwallis from 1980 to 1989.
After graduating from Basic Military Qualification course 80-09, Hall was posted on the destroyer ships in Halifax. Proudly serving 21 years in the Royal Canadian Navy before retiring as petty officer second class, Hall fondly reminisces about his time in Cornwallis, and hopes the reunion will provide other alumni with the opportunity to “come away with some good memories, meet up with old friends, and maybe even make some new ones.”
For Hall, one memory that still stands out from his time in Cornwallis was the honour of participating in the prestigious Cornwallis Sunset Ceremony parade alongside his course mates. Despite how challenging the extra drill the course performed was, he says it felt “amazing to be a part of the ceremony”.
The reunion will be hosted at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 20 in Digby for recruits, instructor, spouses and guests. Anyone interested is invited to register for the event through the “CFB Cornwallis 1980’s Recruits & Instructors Reunion” Facebook group.
The event will feature a meet and greet August 22, followed by an August 23 buffet-style dinner and dance with local band “One Night Only,” who will rock the night away with a combination of pop, rock and country cover songs. The registration cost for the event is $65 per person. For reunion weekend attendees, the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is offering rooms at a discounted rate.
More information may be found on the private Facebook group (group admission is simple: members need only provide their graduation year through the Facebook page when joining). Group members may then register for the reunion on Facebook: the deadline for registration is June 1. Those interested may also reach out to Tony at 613-330-1901, who will be happy to answer any questions.
