A27Lancer

Seen at THE SAME SHOW. This was back in the early seventies at World Open, I think. St. Pat's (who I think would later become the Thing, and eventually Pioneer) had a girl in the American flag section who lost her petty pants (sp?). She stood on the field with her drawers around her ankles for half the show. There was a picture in DCW I believe. Anyone have a copy? Also, during a Massachusetts corps performance, a corps with light tan pants had a male member who just couldn't hold it ("I told you to go before we left the house!"). The stain on the front of his uniform informed the audience of his incontinence.

Been waiting for this topic for a long time. I don't have kids, so I'm talking about my own experiences here. No, there should be no blue ribbons for having a T-ball game at age 5. Every soccer game is a tie. When I marched, you came in first, second or ninth. I was 8 when I started marching. Kids expect a reward for every tiny accomplishment, and believe me, that will carry on into adulthood when reality strikes that they aren't the best golfer in the foursome, the best at history in ninth grade, etc. It's sickening the way kids today are coddled and rewarded for every little thing. My best friend bought his daughter a "Coach" handbag for reading "The Chronicles of Narnia"!!!! The child is eleven years old. SHEESH!!!!! Rewards should be equal to achievement. I told my friend he should have rewarded his daughter with a trip to the ice cream parlor - NOT a $250 adult handbag to carry around her Jonas Brothers pictures.

We were out having supper when the tragedy occured. The Mauro's lived on my street, and this was my first encounter with death. A very very sad time for the Reveries. There were hundreds of marching members from dozens of local corps in uniform at the wake.

Yikes, and as far down as 27th's horn line was (relatively speaking), it was visual analysis that took a drop from DCI East and lost them the title!! I've heard the VA judge had a problem with the rotation in Folk Song Suite (or as Zingali called it, the "Ferris Wheel").

Top eight will be a battle this year, given Boston's improved package. Last year it was top seven. Bluecoats seem to have a sound product. Love the show's concept and can't wait to see them.

I won a green and red Audi at last year's tourney. Ball went into the hole after hitting a narrator. Get up off your duff and go support the Vanguard!

Seneca and Oakland were truly competitive in their day (I particularly remember 1977 and 1978). Both knocked off many a top US corps, and had well written, clean shows. Canada was not the only place to lose staff because there wasn't enough money to pay them well. Not mentioning any names...

THAT night anyways. 27th was slap your mama hot at DCI East and just plain tired by Birmingham. Funny that 27th, Bridgemen, and Spirit 1980 are all on the countdown dvd's and 1980 Blue Devils are not. Just goes to show how many great Blue Devil's corps there have been!

Old school - Manning Bowl, Lynn Massachusetts. In your face drum corps. No parking, bathrooms were antique, terrible concessions, and no place to warm up. But to me, it will always be drum corps heaven.

Well said, Mom. Now that 30 years have passed since I last marched competitively, I appreciate that in 1994 I was blessed to be able to march in a reunion corps that allowed me to experience the best people who ever marched in Northeastern drum corps. We (The 27th Lancers Alumni Corps), were made up of members from a lot of corps from New England, NY, and NJ. Every single one of those people were dedicated to a cause, and the result was on the field in Foxboro that night in August. There were Boston Crusaders, Garfield Cadets, North Star, Connecticut Hurricanes, Surfers, Jeanettes, Socialites, and countless other groups on the field that night wearing the 27th uniform along side 27th alumni. It was not a night to celebrate the glory of the 27th Lancers. It was a night to celebrate the brotherhood and sisterhood of the drum corps family. (And believe me, there was a lot of celebrating that night!) What the people marching today will realize when they are my age is that giving your best effort, being entertaining, and relishing in the applause of the audience are what it is really about. It's awesome to come away in first place - - - don't get me wrong. But realizing goals and cherishing your achievements are what it's all about. If the goal isn't reached - well, someone went and did it just a little bit better. 2008 DCI members - my best to you for a season you'll never forget. Make friends, bowl over audiences and get them on their feet. Your success is the fact that you are on the field. Best of luck!

1994 Boston Crusaders. They PWNED 12th place until performance in semis. Colts got it. Boston should have had it.

Amazing that you folks are still together! Fond memories of you from days gone by! Marching tymps in your 40's and 50's. My hat is off to you. I could not imagine doing that in my frail state!

Speaking of Paul (a great guy) YOU may take the field in competition! And, yes, those Canadian corps names threw everybody for a loop. Les Eclipse were once announced with an X-rated name. And Les Chatelaines as well. Alex Trebeck should announce all DCI shows

That sounds like classic Paul Kane. Just guessing.

Ordered' the '70''''''s shirt. Shipping was' a bit 'high for a t-shirt'. Just sayin'

I really loved BAC and thought on performance/emotion alone they could have won it that night. Then Cadets hit the field, and I thought "No way, Jose". What a great couple of performances!!!!! I show Boston's and Cadet's shows to newbies all the time, and have made a few converts of people who thought we were all about college band half-time shows.

Great article, David. May I add one suggestion? Ok, I will. Contribute to a corps from your computer. I bought a Trooper T-shirt last week, and have made a few (albeit small) contributions to a couple of other fave corps. Fuel and food prices will no doubt effect the budget of ALL corps this summer. Deisel fuel could reach $5.00 a gallon. With 3 or 4 busses, equipment and food trucks, support staff vans, this will be a huge expense. Add in 3-4 meals a day for 200 people, and the costs become staggering!

We are not just a family in the ordinary sense of the word (and I'm sure this applies to most drum corps). We are a family that transcends time, distance and personality. We accept and embrace each other regardless of when one marched, whether or not we've met before, and share a common experience with each other. Mrs. B was a huge part of molding each and every one of us into the individual we are today. George, likewise. Denise B. continues in the activity as staff coordinator of the Santa Clara Vanguard - 27th's sister corps. We were hosted, and reciprocated hosting them in 1976 and 1977. One of the most respected drum corps ever, and now a 27th alumnus is part of that REVEREd organization, and has been for many years. 27th alumni have been active creative forces with The Cadets, Blue Knights, Star of Indiana, Crossmen, countless WGI color guards and many others. The love of the activity that Margaret (Patsy) Bonfiglio shared with us, lives on in our commitment of dedication.

One of my favorite shows of all time. The two files merging at the fifty yard line and the resulting box (done twice!!!) was brilliant drill writing. LOVE the ballad. Also, the simplicity of the silks and the theme of RED was clear and concise.

Please read my post in the "Revere Beach" thread in Historic Drum Corps. Bunny, my sweet - you hit the perfect note with your post. You have hit the nail on the head. What you wrote describes the whole experience and the heart and soul of Patsy perfectly! Hope to see you at the services. Jimmy

Patsy truly spoke the truth - and, yes, her love was unconditional. Many the time she fixed my ascot and told me my spats were on backwards and my hat needed blocking. She taught me how to wear my uniform with pride and to "be" a 27th Lancer. My heart will be with the entire Bonfiglio family and 27th Lancer family throughout this heart-wrenching time. For those of you reading this thread who either didn't have the opportunity to meet Patsy, or only knew her through association, please understand something. She was not just the director's wife. She was our mom, our heart and soul, our protector and our prosecutor. She was dearly loved by any young man and woman who ever wore a Lancer uniform. She spoke her mind, and chided us in our moments of misjudgement, but ALWAYS with the greater good in mind. Patsy had five children to whom she always showed great love. My heart is with them today, as they must share that love with the hundreds of other children with whom she shared that love. TJK has already told us that the door of 35 South Cambridge St. was never locked due to Patsy's declaration. I walked through that open door a thousand times for a thousand different reasons. There was love in that home. And comfort. And a place to vent frustrations, and hide from our own angry parents, and maybe, if you were lucky, to have a plate of pasta and meatballs. But mostly, it was a place of hope. A nerve center. The heart of the 27th Lancers. It has been 22 years since the break-up of 2-7, and 14 years since the 1994 reunion corps. But not an ounce of sentiment has dissappated. The passion remains. Most of the alumni will tell you that the years they spent as a member of the 27th Lancers are the proudest years of their life. ALL will tell you that Mrs. Bonfiglio helped mold them into the man or woman they are today. Rest peacefully, Patsy, in the arms of the Lord.

Sorry, I was misinformed about the Crusaders. Glad to know they are still based here.

Lancerlady, I'll bet Ryan's first ice cream was at Richardson's in Middleton! I used to golf on a course right near there, and ice cream was my reward for making it through the round.

Truly somebody admired and loved by all who knew her. She was a remarkable woman, and mother to the hundreds of members of the 27th Lancers. The wake will most likely be at the Vertuccio Funeral Home on Broadway Revere. Thank you Stephanie for the announcement. This is a very sad day for me as it was 15 years ago on May 29, 1993 that I lost my father. I feel as though I have now lost my second mother. Rest in Peace, dear Patsy.

Wow! The new unis look fantastic. I think it will read beautifully on the field. Needs tailoring - Cadets have always looked like they are wearing baggy clothing to me. (And 27th's pants were all different shades of khaki most years). I'm really interested to see what the guard will be wearing! Hopefully, they won't look like the cast of "Rent", like so many other guards these days.