Trisha Cornforth, German news reporter for "Der Kanadier" newspaper as well as for CFN/RFC radio and television, from the end of 1978 to the end of May 1994 The original "Der Kanadier " was the weekly newspaper for the Canadian Forces stationed in Europe. It was published in Lahr in the Black Forest, Germany, from 1 July 1970 until 25 May 1994, i.e. until just before Canadian Forces Base Lahr closed down in mid-August 1994.

Lahr German-Canadian Reunion 25 June to 4 July 2004

10 years after CFB Lahr closure and opening of Lahr's Canada-Haus
What a wonderful week!

We had high hopes of the 10th anniversary reunion. It was a pity only about 70-80 former "Lahr Canadians" actually came back for the occasion but it was acutally better - an amazingly rewarding experience for all concerned! It wasn't exactly "the good old times" suddenly returning for a short time but another kind of enchanted atmosphere that caught everyone in its spell as long friendships were revived and new ones created through common experience.

Among the magic moments I particularly remember include the opening ceremony at Lahr's Canadian cemetery cairn; the first meet and greet by the Stork Tower (enriched by the unexpected arrival of a small group who had driven all the way from the Czech Republic after a NATO exercise); people's joy as they recognized faces not seen for many years; meeting the Henderson family where generations were born in, had gone to Canadian schools and worked in Lahr; the web formed between the participants through the wide variety of activities and events providing something to suit everyone; German and Canadian police colleagues getting together; someone acknowledging they'd learned more about Lahr that week than they had in all their previous stay; Colin Starr (the Canadian who has lived longest in Lahr, since March 1967) unveiling the plaque for the new Starfighter monument on Canada Day; a small group of us singing old country and western songs far into the night with Wayne MacIsaac after Lahr's Stadtpark reception, free beer and commemortive mugs in the Kippenheim tent ... Benny Lemarbre (Lahr fan from Ottawa) had written he expected "cold beer/wine and warm hearts" at the reunion and that's exactly what we all appreciated!

Many thanks to all the Canadians who attended the reunion and to all the following for their active, material or financial support: Der Kanadier team, members of Canada-Haus Association, the Stork Tower Quilters, Lahr German-Canadian Friendship Club, "Schwarzwald Tänzer" Squaredance Club, Royal Canadian Legion (branches 002 and 004), Canadian Embassy in Berlin, Canadian Consulate in Stuttgart, Canadian Forces Contingent Geilenkirchen, City of Lahr, Lahr Black Forest Airport and Business Park, Euro-Inn (Vetter Catering), SWEG Bus Company, Lahr airfield Free Church, Kippenheim community, Kippenheim Brass Band, Schmieheim Castle Brewery, Maryse and Robert Fontner-Forget (diGraph), Rank Xerox.

In his official speech, Lahr's mayor Dr. Wolfgang G. Müller talked about "keeping the flame of friendship alive" and suggested we should organize another reunion, perhaps in 2007 for the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Forces arriving in Lahr. How about it?

Trisha Cornforth
info@kanadahaus.org

There was good coverage of the reunion in Lahr's two local newspapers:
see our links for their websites (fee charged for access)