Article submitted by Peter Avis, RMC Old Brigade Adjutant
The wonderful tradition of the Old Brigade Dinner was carried forward on Saturday night, the 13th of September, during the Reunion/Badging Weekend at RMC. The first-ever Old Brigade Dinner took place at RMC in October,1950 and was presided over by none other than College No. 13 Colonel A.B. Perry, a venerable member of the Old Eighteen of RMC lore! Since that time, alumni members who have passed through 50 years since they first entered the Canadian Military Colleges, are considered proud members of the Old Brigade. These elders of the CMC Alumni family congregate each year at RMC in 5-year Cohorts to parade, reconnect, and celebrate.
This year, the Dinner was held in the palatial DoubleTree Hilton hotel Ballroom on the west, central side of Kingston. The Classes of ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ‘75’ and ’80 were all represented by class members – for a total of 235 participants (alumni and partners). The Head Table was headed by Pete Avis, the Old Brigade Adjutant; the VIPs were Steve Boychyn — Toronto Branch President — and OCdt Gina Ge – our current Cadet Wing Commander at RMC. To round out the head table of five, Padre Michel Gagne (RMCAA Honourary Chaplain) and Joe Shields (RMCAA Piper) joined in.
There were numerous very special guests in the gathering. The most wonderful of all was Graeme Kirby – 92 years young, Class Secretary for the Class of ’55, Cadet Wing Commander in 1955! Graeme took the salute on that day’s Memorial Arch Parade and graced us with a stirring Toast to Fallen Comrades. Graeme attended the dinner with his wife Susan and said to me that the experience lifted his spirits high and made him feel that the military colleges were still (and always) fine institutions which shine a light ahead for the country.
Of special note, were Valerie Keyes and Colonel (ret’d) Leslie Guyatt, two ladies that were congratulated and recognized by the Alumni Association as members of the Old Brigade. This starts a new era for the Old Brigade – one which we very much welcome! Also, Bruce Henwood of the Class of ’80 joined his recruit classmates after his induction onto the RMC Wall of Honour that afternoon.
The proceedings commenced with the marching-on and induction of the Class of ’80 – our “recruit” class of the Old Brigade, led by their illustrious Class Secretary Steve Woodland. Once that ceremony was completed, we performed it all again with the Class of ’75 (who had missed their induction due to COVID), ably led by Class Secretary Cam Carbert. After an excellent meal, the port was passed at the head table, and the Loyal Toast was given followed by the famous Toast to the Old 18 from the “Loving Cup.” The Loving Cup is a marvelous silver cup that was presented by the first Old Eighteen cadets to the College in June of 1876. The Adjutant of the Old Brigade makes the toast, and all raise their glasses to The Old Eighteen! The tradition then continues with a “Roll Call” in which all the Old Brigade members call out their College Number and their name from oldest to youngest.
At this halfway point, the Old Brigade Adjutant calls for a big change in format when all of the diners can leave their tables and join members of other classes and mingle for the rest of the night (the prime mission of the Dinner!). To help with this happy descent into chaos, the Class of ’80 Pipes and Drum band regaled us to a set of musical chairs playing favorites like Amazing Grace, Scotland the Brave, and Black bear!
With desserts available and bars still open, the gathering was treated to three stirring toasts to end off the proceedings for the night. Steve Boychyn gave a motivational Toast to the Colleges; Graeme Kirby gave a graceful Toast to Fallen Comrades; and finally, our CWC, Gina Ge, gave a remarkable Toast to the Future. We have asked Gina’s permission to present her excellent toast in print directly following this article.
The RMCAA Old Brigade Dinner team (Tyler Forkes, Jennifer Gilbert, and OBA Pete) can be proud of their efforts to make an improved event which was both meaningful and FUN! The Old Brigade Dinner of 2025 was a complete success in which all the Old Bridagers and their partners (spanning 70 years!) joined together, immersed themselves in the mythology of the Canadian Military Colleges, and reconnected with friends to tell tall tales and enjoy the camaraderie that the military colleges are so well-known for.
TDV/VDV
Toast to the Future
I’m Gina Ge (I’m not saying my student number again, in the case someone catches on and I have buy drinks). It’s a true honour to stand here tonight on behalf of the graduating class and to raise a toast to the future.
This College means a great deal to me, as I’m sure it means a great deal to you all too. It is not just where we study, train, and live…it’s where we discover what we’re truly capable of. And while many things have changed, the routines, the technology, even the faces, the spirit of this place has not. The grit, the determination, the fighting spirit that shaped you continues to shape us. That is what makes RMC timeless.
To the Alumni and the Old Brigade, thank you. You have carried the lessons, the values, and the spirit of RMC into your lives and careers. And you’ve given back to us, through your support, your mentorship, and by showing us what it truly means to live a life of service and dedication.
But here’s the truth: we need you. We need your guidance, your stories, and your example to help us learn and grow into the leaders Canada needs. And in turn, you need us. You need us to carry the torch forward, to face the challenges the world has in store, and to keep the legacy alive. We may not look the same as the cadets of fifty years ago, but we fight the same fight: to serve Canada with courage, honour, and determination.
So tonight, let’s raise our glasses. To the Old Brigade, for leading the way. To the graduating class, for taking up the challenge. And to the Royal Military College of Canada, whose spirit endures through every generation.
To the future! Au futur!