2B or not 2B Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 Here is a way to say "Thank You" to all you, Marched with or a Single Corps you were a member of. ALSO a way to tell us about you, Here is mine to start with. In 1962 the VFW that sponsored my first D&B Corps. (Asbury Park, NJ "Hurricanes".) They chartered a bus to take us to "The Preview of Champions" at Roosevelt Stadium, in Jersey City. The Contest was before NJ States. Many of the members of the Corps had never even seen a Contest. They thought it would be good for them to see how a full field show looked. Also how Corps "Entered" & Exited the stadium, See how Judging was done,ETC ,etc etc. Both our Horn Instructor and our Drill Instructor were members of the Hawthorne Cabs. BUT, it was this show that I decided that if I was ever good enough. I would be a "New York City SKYLINER". So un-like all my local Drum Corps, friends who went on years later to join the Cabs. NOT ME. I got the HONOR to march in competition with "NYC SKYLINERS." Those years that meant more to me than any of you will ever know. It hurts so bad to Not be able to go out with the Alumni Corps. How I wish I could be an Active part, I sit at my computer and have 4 photos on the wall next to my desk. An 8x10 of: St. Lucy's Cadets going off the line at the 1966 Dream. A Photo of me on the USS Ranger CVA 61 in the Gulf of Tonkin (Vietnam), And one of me as a Policeman on duty in Asbury Park, NJ. Then one of me in the "NY SKYLINERS Alumni" marching in NJ State Elks Parade in Wildwood, NJ. " Who could have known that would be the last time I would ever March again." (Because of Health). So too ALL of you I say. Play, March and Attend everything you can. Be it a practice, parade or Exhibition. You NEVER know. it could be your last. I miss all of you and being a part so much. Specially too Ray P., Rich E., Matt D., and Joe Chizik Jr . Tommy Barrett Alumni of: Asbury Park "Hurricanes" Neptune "Shoreliners" "Jersey Cyclones" Keyport "St. Lucy's Cadets" Newark "New York City "SKYLINERS" (BS) Golden Knights Sr. "Heat Wave of Orlando" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlips Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 (edited) 2B, We were both at Roosevelt Stadium on that occasion. I was a rookie in St. Catherine's Queensmen (who were not performing that day), guarding the National Colors with that 11-pound Springfield while I waited for a lower soprano spot to open up in the horn line. A bunch of us took the bus, subway, Hudson Tubes and still another bus to get there. It felt like going to the moon, but it was worth it to see "The Seniors", the drum corps equivalents of super heroes to us. Who knew we'd later get to march with them? You and I were on the field competing against each other many times, I think, and though neither of us is marching at present we both remain deeply immersed in the stream. Once in, you're never out (as you know). Your presence here confirms all that, and by the way, "thank you" for your service, all of it. Edited November 17, 2015 by ironlips 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) Make that three of us ... 1962 ... my very first Dream ... and oh so memorable ... with the reintroduction of BS and Garfield into what had become a "home" show for St. Kevin's ... I often wondered what Mickey was thinking during those years of exile for BS and Garfield ... I also wondered why St. Catherine's never graced Roosevelt during the Dream - while Selden and Loretto battled behind the Emerald Knights ... regardless, the 62 Dream was "overly" attended, with DCN reporting a crowd of 28,000 ... yes ... I said 28,000 ... and most of them only made it to Ballentine's beer stand (a place I would learn to cherish in future years) ... it is hard to explain the surreal nature of the show as one walked beneath the stands and then performed to boisterous fans ... and as Frank said ... the Seniors WERE Gods in those years ... Cabs, Sky, Archie, Reilly, Rebels, Bucs, Hurcs, Prince, et al ... Dream Corps is what they were called ... it was often said, that if there was one show you HAD to attend during the year - it was The Dream ... NO other show atmosphere compared ... I'm so glad I was a part of it ... :-) Edited November 16, 2015 by ajlisko 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Haring Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Make that three of us ... 1962 ... my very first Dream ... and oh so memorable ... with the reintroduction of BS and Garfield into what had become a "home" show for St. Kevin's ... I often wondered what Mickey was thinking during those years of exile for BS and Garfield ... I also wondered why St. Catherine's never graced Roosevelt during the Dream - while Selden and Loretto battled behind the Emerald Knights ... regardless, the 62 Dream was "overly" attended, with DCN reporting a crowd of 28,000 ... yes ... I said 28,000 ... and most of them only made it to Ballentine's beer stand (a place I would learn to cherish in future years) ... it is hard to explain the surreal nature of the show as one walked beneath the stands and then performed to boisterous fans ... and as Frank said ... the Seniors WERE Gods in those years ... Cabs, Sky, Archie, Reilly, Rebels, Bucs, Hurcs, Prince, et al ... Dream Corps is what they were called ... it was often said, that if there was one show you HAD to attend during the year - it was The Dream ... NO other show atmosphere compared ... I'm so glad I was a part of it ... :-) I had the privilege of marching in the last four Dream shows held at Roosevelt Stadium, 1977-1980. Even then, in those later years, it was a special show.... IMO, the most unique atmosphere at any drum corps show ever. Never won the Dream. But honestly, the three DCA titles during my six years with Sun eased that pain quite a bit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Ah yes ... 1980 ... the last Dream in Roosevelt ... little known trivia: Wes Myers and myself were the last two individuals to leave the stadium as the sun was setting ... the judges meeting was in the "ballroom" that year ... I never even knew they had a ballroom at Roosevelt! ... true to form, Wes an I meandered about after the meeting, eventually winding up on the field at home plate ... EVERYONE had left ... and there we stood ... six-pack in hand watching the sun set ... cranes now moving in to demolish the stadium ... suddenly, in the distance, a cloud of smoke speeding towards us as someone at the Salderini Post noticed we were missing - sent out a rescue party - arrived at home plate and just said "GET IN" ... Ya can't make up stuff like this! :-) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlips Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Ah, but Andy and Fran, Tommy is speaking of the "Preview", not the "Dream". If you converse with current marching members of competing corps, they just can not fathom a season that begins with contests in May and wraps up in late September, sometimes October. And everyone hit the field with a complete show on opening night. Roosevelt Stadium often hosted multiple shows each year. I think it's a parking lot for a high-rise complex now, but it used to be the Sacred Temple of the Gods, my favorite worship venue. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajlisko Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 My bad ... of course ... the Preview ... St. Pat's show ... time to get the eyes checked again ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2B or not 2B Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Yes, my post was about " The Preview " (St. Patricks Contest) but the ones about " The Dream " (St. Vincent's contest) could still fit in here. In that some brought back a memory of His Corps Love and a place. Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, was a Special Place. Could have 3 or 4 NATIONAL type shows a year. With crowds of over 20, 000 at ALL in the same year. The Sight's, The Sounds, and yes, The Smell's. UN-FORGETABLE. As either a Competing Corps or a " Fan in The Stands ". In this case it was important that "The Preview" was in MAY. The NJ States were in early June. That was going to be our First show for us, in our First year on the Field. It was felt that the trip was aTraining class for us. Then "Thr Dream" in August. How lucky we were here in New Jersey to have the Contest's 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Haring Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Ah, but Andy and Fran, Tommy is speaking of the "Preview", not the "Dream". If you converse with current marching members of competing corps, they just can not fathom a season that begins with contests in May and wraps up in late September, sometimes October. And everyone hit the field with a complete show on opening night. Roosevelt Stadium often hosted multiple shows each year. I think it's a parking lot for a high-rise complex now, but it used to be the Sacred Temple of the Gods, my favorite worship venue. Including the World Open for a bit, from what I remember? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Haring Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 My last year marching was 1982... our first show that year (in Clifton) was still on Memorial Day weekend. I'm guessing that early start date went away not too many years after that. The current season opener for DCA is around the third weekend in June. In 1982, we had at least three shows under our belt by then. LOL. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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