onceuponatime

PART 1 - THE MASS AT HOLY NAME Many years ago all Holy Name Cadets rehearsed in the basement of a modest little wooden church in Garfield., NJ. On Sunday, May 24th, more than 200 Cadet Alumni of all eras, some with their families and friends, gathered for a Memorial Mass to begin our 75th year of history, and more specifically to remember and honor Cadets who have passed into eternity. This time, however, we gathered in a breathtakingly beautiful church that bore no resemblance to the tiny wooden church we all remembered and loved. The church of our youthful memory. We were welcomed and pleasantly surprised by a large sign on the church lawn, advising all who passed of the special Cadet Mass that would be conducted on that day, and of the 75th Anniversary of The Holy Name Cadets. Attendees representing many years of Cadet history packed the church pews. Monsignor James Reilly, the current Pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Name, ascended the altar, peered out at the sea of maroon spread out before him, opened his arms wide, and said simply and eloquently…”Welcome Home Cadets.” With those three words the healing process for many present began. This very special Cadet Mass had been in the planning stage for many months; inspired by the significance of the occasion, the significance of the site, and the reason for the service. Monsignor Reilly’s support and enthusiasm was present from the very beginning of the planning process. In addition to the sign erected on the lawn of the church, flyers were inserted in the church bulletin passed out at every mass for several weeks preceding the actual event. The church was ready for the Cadet Alumni, and we were ready to reestablish the bond that had been painfully severed fifty-one years ago. Every participant in the service of the mass was a Cadet Alumnus with the exception of Monsignor Reilly. Co-celebrating the mass was Monsignor Edward Matash 43-50, and Deacon Rich McGarry 58-66. The Cantor, with a voice that was as beautiful as any ever heard, was Nancy Watson Baker 71-73. Lectors were Albert Mura 34-42, (a Heritage Cadet and the Drum Major of our first national championship corps in 1940). and Greg Cinzio 67-77 (Drum Major '77). Patricia Lovas Trojanowski 69-75, Cynthia Carozza DeVivo 69-73, Margee Estelle Gearhart 69-71, and Karen Cinzio Corman 77-83 presented the gift of offerings. The mass was conducted with the semi-military pomp and pageantry familiar to most Holy Name era alumni. Contrary to the misconception held by many, faith was not a qualifying factor in becoming a Cadet. While initially membership was limited to boys in the parish, over the years boys of many different faiths wore the uniform of a Cadet. The charismatic inspiration for organization of the Cadets, in fact, was a fourteen-year-old boy, John Baumfalk, a member of the local Dutch Reformed Church, John Baumfalk. Many in the church for this special mass, therefore, were not Catholic; but in most cases the Church of the Most Holy Name had been a major influence in their formative years. When Monsignor Reilly looked out at them and welcomed them “home,” that was exactly how many of those present, Catholic and non-Catholic felt…back home! The opening procession down the aisle was both traditional and breathtaking. It was led by Cadet Katie Capasso 05-07, in full Cadet uniform, carrying the historical Holy Name Cadet shield. She was followed several paces behind by Cadets Chris DelVeccio 05-06 and Cadet Andrew German 08, both in full Cadet uniform. Chris and Andrew carried the shako and gloves symbolic of all departed Cadets. Several paces behind them was Cadet Fabian Izsa Jr. 58-63, 66, carrying a replica of the sabers officially presented to the Cadets many years ago by officer-representatives of The Military Academy at West Point. Several paces behind Fabian, moving up the aisle side-by-side were two founding-member Heritage Cadets: Arthur Mura 34-50, and Nicholas Patrisso 34-49. Directly in front of the altar a memory table had been placed, covered with a shawl worn by Karen Cinzio Corman 77-83 when she performed in the Cadets’ fabled 1984 West Side Story production. The memory table was framed by beautiful floral arrangements donated by Joseph Nikischer Jr., Plebes ’69-74, and his family. As each uniformed Cadet arrived at the memory table they placed the items they were carrying next to the memory candle that had been pre-positioned on the table. The three uniformed Cadets then moved to positions of honor guard flanking the table as our two Heritage Cadets, Al Mura and Nick Patrisso, approached to light the candle. As it was lit they took a step back and placed their hands over their hearts, while the uniformed Cadet Honor Guard, executed the majestic slow-motion “salute to a fallen comrade.” The music performed by the Holy Name Church choir and organist during this ceremony was “All Glory, Laud and Honor” The members of the processional party then took their seats for the welcoming remarks and homily by Monsignor Reilly, which focused on the history of our corps, the honor we have brought to the church and to ourselves, and the value and wonder of the unique “Cadet experience.” In the traditional format of a Catholic service of the Mass, Heritage Cadet Albert Mura 34-42 and Greg Cinzio 67-77 then read the liturgy of the word. The responsorial psalm was “The Lord has set His Throne in Heaven.” For those of you unfamiliar with a Catholic Mass, the Cantor plays a major role in all sung responsorial portions of the mass; and we were fortunate to have Nancy Baker Watson 71-73, a renowned Cantor, volunteer her services. The offertory song, sung during the collection of donations, was followed by a stirring rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” sung by the choir during the distribution of communion. A song of reflection followed, honoring all of our deceased Cadets. As the song of reflection began our three uniformed Cadets resumed their honor guard positions flanking the memory table, and once again rendered the slow and majestic “salute to a fallen comrade,” holding the salute for the duration of the song. There were not very many dry eyes in the church at that moment, as most present remembered close friends and family members who had once worn the same uniforms as the young Cadets now saluting their memory. Monsignor Reilly then asked everyone in the church, with the exception of Cadet Alumni, to be seated. The three uniformed Cadets turned to face the pulpit, and Anthony Bartello, Sr. 48-57 (Drum Major 1957), led all alumni present in the singing of the Holy Name Hymn. At the conclusion of the hymn Cadet Major Anthony Bartello ’57 walked to the memory table and extinguished the flame on the candle. Following a blessing from Monsignor Reilly the recessional formed, led by the officiating clergy. The uniformed Cadets respectfully retrieved the symbolic articles on the memory table, and joined the recessional as the music of “Alleluia, Alleluia,” with organ and trumpeters George King 54-61 and Greg Cinzio 67-77, filled the church with the sound of joy and celebration. There are few moments in life as rich and soul stirring as what all those present in Holy Name Church during this opening event of our 75th Anniversary experienced. The feelings of the Cadets and their loved ones present at this ceremony will live in our hearts and memories for the rest of our lives. The Cadet alumni, family, and friends, exited the church with the uniformed honor guard standing at attention on either side of the door, and Monsignor Reilly individually thanking those in attendance. Group photos were taken on the front steps of the church, but no camera could ever capture the beauty and majesty of this opening event of the 75th Anniversary of The Holy Name Cadets. PART 2 - THE BRUNCH A brunch, held at the VFW Hall in Garfield, followed the services at Holy Name Church. We tried to make this event as informal as possible so people would have an opportunity to follow the emotions of the morning with something less challenging. It appeared as though the bulk of the people from the Church service traveled to the VFW as well, and socializing began immediately. The room looked beautiful with everything maroon and gold (of course), and various displays around the room (which few even noticed since they were having such a good time just socializing). There was no formal program (unless you consider drinking at the bar a formal program), with the exception of a moving prayer offered by Patti Lovas-Trojanowski for our men and women in uniform. We were celebrating the Cadets' 75th Anniversary, but we were also very much aware of the solemnity of the Memorial Day observance, and the debt we all owe to those who have served, those who returned with shattered lives and bodies, and those who made the supreme sacrifice. A sincere thank you and expression of love and support from all Cadets to all of you out there who currently wear the uniform, or previously wore the uniform, of our military services. God Bless you and God Bless America! PART 3 - PARADE TIME The Cadets started off Memorial Day bright and early with morning parades in Carlstadt and Rochelle Park. At the Hawthorne Legion things were buzzing with both the Cabs competing corps and their alumni corps popping in and out to change into uniform and do whatever needed to be done. We were upstairs setting up the displays, hanging the sign, setting up the food and gift presentation tables, and answering questions from a lot of interested Cabs. Around the corner the crowd was beginning to gather in the area adjacent to the reviewing stand. Some of our alumni had settled themselves in their lawn chairs early in the morning to be certain of having a good seat for the big show. There was a huge alumni turnout, and maroon seemed to be the fashion color of the day. Hanging from the front of a building owned by Cadet Alumnus Paul Scillia 51-55 directly adjacent to the primary viewing area, was a huge banner Paul and Bill McCullum 42-52 had made, emblazoned with the words: "Congratulations Holy Name Cadets, 75th Anniversary." The parade format had been changed because of the importance the event had assumed. Doug Tenis 58-62, Parade Coordinator, determined that in lieu of having each music unit stop in front of the reviewing stand to play a number or two, they each would continue marching past the reviewing stand and would return when the parade was completed to offer concerts in front of the officials and spectators in the reviewing stand area. The Skyliners were permitted to stop and play during the parade since they were not scheduled to play a concert afterwards. The Cadets had earlier requested permission to play a short concert to thank the citizens and officials of Hawthorne for their hospitality and support over the years, and to salute the alumni present. The Cabs alumni and competing corps joined in the program to represent the town, which they have represented so impressively for so many years. Both corps presented excellent performances, and reminded us all of the uniquely impressive status the two Caballero corps hold in the drum corps world. Of course, for all the Cadet alumni present, the Cadets were what they had come to see, and the Cadets did not disappoint. The Cadets have a presence, especially in up-close, face-to-face performances such as this, that dazzles the very critical drum-corps-savvy audience that assembles in Hawthorne each Memorial Day. It's part the beauty and impact of the uniforms, part bearing and demeanor, part total professionalism, with the biggest part indisputably talent and performance excellence. In Hawthorne this year, positioned in the street literally surrounded by an audience that is as demanding as any audience you will ever encounter, and where every weakness would be immediately obvious, there simply weren't any weaknesses. All around me I observed shock and awe as the virtuosity of each and every section of the horn line dazzled the spectators. I, of course, have no legitimate claim to objectivity, so you will have to obtain a more objective reaction elsewhere...but God are they good!! PART 5 - THE ALUMNI MEET THEIR 2009 CADETS For the past several years our alumni have hosted a post-parade pizza party for the marching Cadets, where in addition to providing them enough pizza to send their nutritionist into a tailspin; we also present each Cadet with a memento of the season they are about to experience. The mementos, to date, have been baseball caps uniquely designed for the Cadets and their staff only, with none offered for sale or distribution to anyone else, including alumni. It is, we hope, a reminder to them that each year is special, and THIS is THEIR year. The funding for these caps is provided by donations from alumni across the country, under the tag "caps for cadets initiative." The post parade party has grown bigger with each passing year, but this year, our 75th Anniversary year, topped them all. The hall was packed with alumni anxiously waiting for the Cadets to change out of their uniforms and enter the hall so we could let them see that now they belong to a family larger than they ever imagined. Funding for the pizzas (70 of them) took a surprise twist this year when we were contacted by Jim Gardiner '84, who explained that our Canadian Alumni wanted to do something special and personal for the 2009 Cadets. The result was that they took over responsibility for the funding for the pizza, while Ken Shedosky 57-61 unexpectedly and generously offered to match any funds donated by our Canadian brothers and sisters. The result was extremely gratifying, not just because it came as a complete surprise, but also because it allowed us to make the party the biggest and best ever. Jim Gardiner '84 told me that all 2009 Cadets are now honorary "Cadets with a Canadian Connection." Some other exciting news is that our Canadian Alumni are also in the process of organizing their first (?) comprehensive Canadian Cadet Alumni social function. The Cab's Alumni Corps and their world famous drum major Jim Russo, were kind enough to loan us their Canadian Flag, so we could take a photo of our 2009 drum majors with the beautiful Canadian Flag in hand. From all of us to all of you, thank you. The Maple Leaf forever! The main event of the party was not the food however, nor the distribution of caps; it was the bonding of the alumni present in the room with the 2009 Cadets. They were close to equal in number, and if you looked out from the stage across the room, Cadets were interlaced with alumni in close conversation wherever you looked. The most moving moment was when all the alumni in attendance came together on the stage and sang the Holy Name Hymn for the newest members of the Cadet family. Our young 2009 Holy Name Cadets stood shoulder to shoulder, their hand on the shoulder of the Cadet closest to them, in the position of attention; young eyes locked on old eyes (or in some cases slightly older eyes), and there were tears in all of them. If you look on the visitor's page of the Holy Name website, www.theholynamecadets.org, you will see just how deeply this moment affected our alumni. And so, the first of a great many celebratory events for our 75th Anniversary, Diamond Jubilee Year are over; but will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to have been present. As the Cadets' buses drove away, I smiled a little smile of pleasure, knowing that throughout their journey this summer they are going to meet a score of other alumni every mile of the way, climaxing on August 1st and 2nd with the largest gathering of the maroon and gold ever held (Saturday, Aug. 1st at Montclair State University and August 2nd at Giants' Stadium). And, in concert with the alumni present in Hawthorne, they are going to feel the pride and love we all felt in Hawthorne for the young men and women now wearing the uniform we all revere. For Holy Name shall always be... We in the Cadet family feel very fortunate to be here to celebrate this extraordinary 75th year of our history. It will be an unusual year of celebration, memory, and hopefully an unparalleled adventure for the 2009 Holy Name Cadets. We welcome all of you to join us in these celebrations. We honor and respect every single corps we have had the good fortune to have shared the field of competition with during this 75 year journey, and we open our doors to welcome you all to our big party. Check www.cadets.org or wwwtheholynamecadets.org for a schedule of events during the season about to begin.

The life journey of the (Holy Name, Garfield, Bergen County, and the modern era) Cadets by Dave Shaw This article originally appeared in the May 2007 edition of Drum Corps World (Volume 36, Number 2). It’s amazing how quickly 75 years can slip by while you’re busy giving thanks for your good fortune in having the opportunity to begin your life journey as a Cadet. One minute, it seems, we were teenagers, all wrapped up in our personal Cadet adventures. The next, the young men who were my closest friends in the world, suddenly have grey hair (or no hair) and I marvel that after so many years they all remember every detail of their Cadet experience, right down to the number sewn on the inside of their uniform jacket. I suppose it’s pretty much the same with any corps, especially those that have been around for awhile. The Cadets just have been at it a little bit longer than most. We’ve been blessed beyond measure and now, as Cadets from the age of the dinasours look at the young, modern-era Cadets wearing their uniform for the first time, we pause and smile, remembing. We were once them . . . and now, they are us. Times change, the world changes, drum corps changes, our lives change. The world we knew has blown away on the breezes of today and tomorrow, yet there are still young hopeful faces wearing the uniform that we once wore, dreaming the dreams that we once dreamed. I see many faces now in my dreams -- Cavalier faces, Madison Scout faces, Trooper faces, Blue Stars faces, Scout House faces. So many corps and so many friends I was privileged to know because I was a Cadet. So many great corps I was privileged to compete against and share memories with, because I was a Cadet. So many golden moments, so many shouts of joy, so many tears of agony. This is our alumni list of Cadet Milestones. I’m sure you all have yours as well, from the corps you marched with and the people you cared about. • 1914 -- Holy Name Field Music group founded. Became inactive in 1917 following the declaration of America’s entry into WWI. • 1934 -- The Holy Name Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps founded in Garfield, NJ. • 1936 -- The corps is renamed as The Holy Name Cadets, The Holy Name Hymn becomes the corps' official song • 1939 -- Cadets change to West Point-style uniforms. • 1940 -- Cadets win their first national American Legion Championship, Boston, MA. • 1948-50 -- First national champions 3-peat * 1948 -- Miami, FL, 96.50 * 1949 -- Philadelphia, PA, 89.55 * 1950 -- Los Angeles, CA, 93.083 • 1950 -- First Cadet transcontinental tour, New Jersey to California. The trip was by bus, before the interstate highway system was constructed; fourth national title; honored guests at Boy’s Town in Nebraska enroute. • 1953 -- fifth national championship, St. Louis, MO. • 1957 -- sixth national championship, Atlantic City, NJ. This was the last title won under the Holy Name Cadets banner. • 1958 -- Cadets involuntarily leave Holy Name Church, reorganized as the Garfield Cadets. • 1958 -- Cadets compete at the 1958 American Legion Nationals, Chicago, IL, as the Garfield Cadets; uniforms were improvised to resemble the Scout House uniform (with the express permission of Scout House); corps competed with flags and drums loaned to us by the Chicago Cavaliers and bugles loaned by the Hawthorne Caballeros; lost our title by .3 to the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights. • 1959 -- The Cadets change to a new uniform, designed to be a stepping stone to the return of our traditional uniform; consisted of a Cadet-style shako and plume, uniform pants of the traditional design and colors, maroon drop sashes, white shoes and white satin blouses with maroon collars and neck inserts; this uniform was worn to compete at the American Legion Nationals in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; later that same year we lost our young drum major, George Petrencak, under very tragic circumstances; his name will be sewn into a Cadet uniform in 2007. • 1960 -- Cadets return, for the first time since leaving the Church, to their traditional uniform when they appear on the starting line at the first contest of the season in Fair Lawn, NJ; it was observed that a great many spectators in the stadium were in tears; their off-the-line number was Everything’s Coming Up Roses. • 1960-62 -- Second American Legion National 3-peat and the first national titles won under the Garfield Cadets banner * 1960 -- Miami, FL, 84.983 * 1961 -- Denver, CO, 87.45 * 1962 -- Las Vegas, NV, 87.75 • 1962 -- Cadets introduce contra bass horns and are the first junior corps to use them in regular competition; the Caballeros introduced them in senior competition the same year. • 1964 -- Cadets win tenth National American Legion title (a feat never equaled) and retired the fabled American Legion Silver Drum Permanent Trophy, Dallas, TX, 79.916. • 1965 -- The Cadets are the first corps elected to the Drum Corps Digest-sponsored Drum Corps Hall of Fame. • 1969 -- Cadet Director Jim D’Amico admits girls to the Cadets, breaking the gender barrier (color guard). • 1970 -- The Cadets perform to the music of White Rabbit while forming a peace sign on the field; this was during the Vietnam War and was extremely controversial. • 1971 -- Cadets perform for the halftime of a Miami Dolphins / 49ers game in the Orange Bowl, the first time a professional football half-time show was not cut into by commercials, by prior agreement with the Dolphins Promotion Department; unfortunately, the entire show was televised during a torrential downpour. • 1971 -- The Cadets present the first fully-integrated theme show, “American the Brave - 1776” in conjunction with the program, the first librettos utilized in drum corps were distributed to spectators, the concept was well- received by audiences, but the drum judge community was convinced that the program was designed as an attempt to hinder percussion evaluation and they heavily penalized the corps throughout the season on the basis of that misperception. • 1971 -- The Cadets become the first drum and bugle corps to be included in a major American encyclopedia, Compton's Gold Edition. • 1972 -- Cadets appear in the movie “Crazy Joe,” filmed on location at Columbus Circle in New York City. • 1972 -- The Cadets presented the famous “No More War” abstract theme show to dramatize the concept, a poster- sized giveaway was passed out to spectators that was designed by Dave Shaw and formatted by Don Daber, the poster had three panels -- the first panel was two children holding hands and smiling at each other, the second panel has a teenage couple in Cadet uniforms in a pose duplicating the first panel, the third panel showed the girl from the second panel, still in uniform, placing a flower on a flag-draped coffin. • 1972 -- Cadets, by a slim margin, miss making finals at the first DCI Championship in Whitewater, WI; the penalty was given for overtime, which was caused by a last-minute drill change at the final rehearsal before competing; following the competition, it was discovered that the entire staff had departed without notice. • 1972 -- Tragic loss of beloved Drum Major Richard Chirichella, following injuries sustained in a football game with another area drum corps; his name will be carried onto the field this year, sewn into a Cadet jacket. • 1975 -- Cadets’ first DCI Finals appearance, tenth place, 80.55, Philadelphia, PA. • 1977 -- Cadets introduce two-valve soprano horns into ensemble. • 1977 -- The girl color guard, wearing hot pants that were very similar to the Cadets’ uniform pants, picked up bugles near the end of their program and joined in playing the final production number, I Don't Know How to Love Him, they actually played the horns, in a company front of 80 horns (see photos at top). • 1983 -- Cadets’ first DCI World Championship title, Miami, FL, 94.4; George Zingali’s skills as a drill designer emerge to astonish his contemporaries. • 1983-4-5 -- DCI Championship 3-peat * 1983 -- Miami, FL, 94.40 * 1984 -- Atlanta, GA, 98.00 * 1985 -- Madison, WI, 98.40. • 1984 -- The 50th Golden Anniversary of the Cadets’ founding; the corps presented a production of “West Side Story” that set the standard for change and is considered even today as one of the best programs ever presented. • 1986 -- Cadets perform at rededication ceremonies for the Statue of Liberty. • 1987 -- Fourth DCI World Championship (perfect percussion score), Madison, WI, 97.90. • 1988 -- Cadets leave Garfield and are renamed the Cadets of Bergen County (CBC). • 1990 -- Fifth DCI World Championship, Buffalo, NY, 97.70. • 1992 -- First female Cadet drum major. • 1993 -- Sixth DCI World Championship, Jackson, MS, 97.40. • 1994 -- Cadets perform at the World Soccer Cup opening ceremonies. • 1996 -- Cadets perform at the closing ceremonies of Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. • 1998 -- Seventh DCI World Championship, Orlando, FL, 98.40. • 2000 -- Eighth DCI World Championship, Westminster, MD, 97.65; an undefeated season; title was shared with the co-champion Cavaliers. • 2003 -- Cadets awarded high percussion award at DCI for third year in succession. • 2004 -- Cadets celebrate their 70th Anniversary. • 2005 -- Administrative offices move to Allentown, PA. • 2005 -- Ninth DCI World Championship, Foxboro, MA, 99.15; tie for record high score, first in all captions. • 2007 -- 50th Anniversary of 1957 American Legion National Championship, Atlantic City, NJ, 91.30; this was the last national championship won under the Holy Name Cadet banner. • 2009 -- 75th Anniversary of one of the oldest and most famous drum and bugle corps in the world. * 2009 -- Perform in the Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama

A report from Doug Rutherford, a lifelong friend of David Welch On Saturday, a group of about 25 members and alumni of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps came to visit David. It was a special gathering that started at 1 PM and lasted for almost 2 hours. David got tired and went to bed at 2:30. The highlight of the afternoon, besides all of the hugging, spirited conversation, story telling, and general catching up, was singing the Cadets corps song, "Oh Holy Name." When members and alumni get together, it is a tradition to sing the corps song, and many Cadets not in attendance are known to sing along at the designated time. Thanks to high-speed Internet, about 6 Cadet alumnae joined the festivities over the Internet from Japan. David got to see them and talk to them on iChat thanks to Christen Juel. Cadets from across the US actually traveled to VA to visit David. The group included people ranging from 20 to 45 years old. David's friends traveled from as far as Chicago, Massachusetts, and Atlanta to participate in this 2 hours affair - Unbelievable! The brainchild behind this gathering was Joey Glaeser, a current member of the Cadets who drove all the way from Atlanta. The bonds we form in this remarkable activity of drum corps are truly special. One of the many pleasures of the afternoon was watching David's parents and brother get to experience the impact David has on so many people. It was a great gift for them to be able to see and experience the special bond of David's friends and the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. Once again, I walked away with strong and conflicting emotions of happiness and sadness. I am thrilled I had the pleasure of participating in this glorious day. Thank you Joey. Thank you David. For Holy Name shall always be…

A moving report on the Holy Name Sing in honor of David Welch can be found on his website, www.38lemon.con and also on the visitor's page on the Holy Name Alumni website, wwwtheholynamecadets.org Thank you for all the messages from members of corps with whom we are, and have been, honored to share memories and friendships over the years. God Bless David Welch. For Holy Name shall always be.

75 years is a lot of history. If you're interested in learning some of it go to www.theholynamecadets.org

An open question based on general curiosity, nothing else; though I’m relatively certain that at least some people will read a lot of different things that are totally unintended into the question. There is in fact no intended purpose beyond satisfaction of personal curiosity. As I browse through the various threads I‘ve begun to wonder what regular posters perceive to be their primary purpose in posting on Drum Corps Planet? I don’t necessarily mean how it is being used by posters at the present time, but why you personally participate, and what you feel you receive from participating? I realize, of course, that there is no single answer to my question. There is also no right or wrong answer(s). There would appear to be some obvious answers which might give us a starting point for discussion. Some obviously post to promote or defend their favorite corps. Some appear simply to be seeking some degree of personal attention for themselves or their viewpoints, Some post to discuss or promote various issues about which they feel strongly. Some it would appear have a lot of free time for whatever reasons, and they appear and reappear on almost every imaginable post. My assumption, and it’s only an assumption, is that at least some of those people use Drum Corps Planet as an entertainment medium to some degree. There are also a number of posters whose purpose it would appear is to convince other posters of the validity of their viewpoint, no matter how many posts it takes to do so. There are others I believe who are frustrated because they believe a small number of people make decisions that affect the activity in ways they find personally objectionable or counterproductive for the activity as they believe it should operate, and they consider Drum Corps Planet their only outlet to air their grievances. A large number of posters I have noted share the viewpoint that everyone is entitled to have an opinion on anything, and that is absolutely the truth. Opinions don’t require pedigree. In most discussions in life, however, opinions are weighted at least to some degree by the credentials of the person offering the opinion. The anonymity of most posters on Drum Corps Planet eliminates that common element in human discourse. That is neither a criticism nor a complaint. It is solely an observation. I think there are those who must consider that important on Drum Corps Planet as well, since they mention their credentials or lack of them in the body of their posts. So to return to the question; if you are a regular poster on Drum Corps Planet (“regular” defined any way you like), what is your primary purpose in posting and what do you feel you receive/accomplish from/by doing so?

As posted this morning on the Holy Name Cadets' Alumni website; www.theholynamecadets.org THE CADETS’ ALUMNI SALUTE THE BLUE KNIGHTS On behalf of the Cadets' Alumni I would like to apologize to The Blue Knights for overlooking their important 50th Anniversary Celebrations July 11-13 in Denver. We were unaware that BK was celebrating a special milestone this year until a former staff member brought it to our attention. The oversight was definitely unintentional, and in no way meant to indicate any lack of respect or admiration for this wonderful, ground-breaking drum corps. We very much admire (as you can probably imagine) The Blue Knights’ commitment to a singular and unique on-field identity; and the success they are achieving in making people aware that there are many different paths that lead to entertainment satisfaction. I have had the good fortune to be seated next to a drum corps writer for Drum Corps News from Quebec at both DCI East and the DCI Championships the past few years, and the Blue Knights are by far his favorite corps. He convinced me to watch what they are doing more closely, and I now can honestly say they are one of my favorite corps as well. They do not provide the same type of entertainment as most other corps (not a revelation to them I'm sure), but I and many others appreciate the difference very much. Continued good luck to the Blue Knights as they continue to prosper, and special good wishes for success at the DCI Championships in Bloomington and in their quest to be the best they can be. It is an honor for The Cadets to share the field of competition with you. Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary.

I woke up today with a lot on my mind, all of it related to Memorial Day. Several days ago I received the latest issue of Bob Bella Rosa’s Heritage Magazine. There were two photos in that issue that reached a place deep within my psyche. The first was a photo of the original Hawthorne Caballeros, all recently returned from the war, all in their Navy bell-bottom uniforms. The other was a photo of the original Gabarina corps, all recently returned home, all in the uniforms of the various services. I looked, and for the first time I think, I understood the deep, deep ties that today bind the members and alumni of these two corps to the young men I was looking at in their uniforms from a war fought so long ago, so far away. I was very young during that war, and it took me all this time to begin to grasp the almost religious devotion the members and alumni of the Caballeros and Gabarina have to their corps. I guess that those younger than I, which at this point includes most of the people in my world, will probably never fully understand the depth of this de votion. I thought also of my fellow Cadet Bob Bella Rosa and his period of service guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington. I remembered, and for the first time I think, I understood the deep sense of pride and devotion and privilege he felt. I had often listened to his stories of his time at Arlington, and I was fascinated and in awe, but I never really, truly saw things through his eyes. Now I think do, at least to some small degree. Most people don’t know that Holy Name actually began their life in 1917, but it was a short-lived existence. World War I was just beginning, and the first members of Holy Name were needed elsewhere. So the corps was disbanded, and our young predecessors went off to foreign lands, some never to return. I saw another photo not too long ago of the Cadets from the early 1940s posed on the steps of The Church of the Most Holy Name in Garfield. All the Cadets in the photo were very, very young. I had seen this photo before, but somehow I had always missed the flag centered in the very top row of Cadets. It had a blue star with the number 70 on it. During World War II if you had a member of your family in the military you had a small flag you placed in the front window of your house. One blue star for each family member. If the star was gold you knew that someone in that house had made the supreme sacrifice. I don’t know why I remember that one detail from my youngest years relative to the war. Probably because in my Grandparent’s house, in their front window, there was a flag with four blue stars on it. The young Cadets in the photo I had seen so many times were young because the older Cadets had gone off to fight for America in foreign lands, some never to return. The 70 on that flag represented 70 Cadets. 70 members of our Cadet family. 70 of us! I don’t know why it took me so long to notice it, or to understand it. But I do now. Those thoughts this morning brought back so many memories of Cadets I knew and marched with. Cadets that after their years in maroon and gold, donned the uniforms of the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Coast Guard. Some of those too went off to fight in foreign lands, some never to return. I think of them often. I knew them. I shared a part of my life with them. My devotion to them, my feelings for them, my pride in what they did was always something I understood. This morning though it became something larger. It made me swell with pride. It helped me to understand in a different way the many reasons for my very deep and very personal feelings for The Cadets. With all this on my mind I headed to Hawthorne this afternoon to watch their Memorial Day Parade, and to participate in the pizza party the alumni had planned after the parade for the 2008 Cadets. I opened my lawn chair and sat in the shade surrounded by Cadet Alumni, and Caballero Alumni, and Gabarina Alumni; and I felt good, because I thought I wasn’t there just to watch them perform…I was there, at least in part, because I finally understood why it is all so important to so many of us. It was a great parade. It gets better every year, and both the Cabs Alumni and the Gabarina Alumni were as good or better than I’ve ever seen them. They stopped by the reviewing stand, right next to where I was seated, and each played a short concert. They were great. I had heard most or all of their musical selections a hundred times before, but this time it was different. This time I was emotionally in tune with why these numbers I had heard played so often were important, and why the Caballero Alumni and the Gabarina Alumni of the here and now were tied to all the young men freshly returned from war who preceded them. I guess that experience prepared me for my own moment of immeasurable pride, and devotion, and privilege; perhaps to some small degree not unlike what Bob Bella Rosa had experienced during his many hours guarding that sacred tomb in Arlington. I knew what was coming of course. I just wasn’t ready for it. I looked to my left and moving up the street I saw the new young 2008 Cadets, the inheritors of the great gift passed onto them by the Cadets of the 1917 WWI corps, and the Cadets of the 1940s WWII corps, and the Cadets who fought in Korea, and Vietnam, and Afghanistan, and Iraq, and Haiti, and Panama, and Country after Country. The Cadets who were commissioned as officers at West Point, and Annapolis, and The Air Force Academy; at V.M.I., The Citadel, and Valley Forge. Leading them up the street was Sr. DM Chris Castille, wearing once again the white and gold uniform of so many Cadet Drum Majors before him. To me it was like watching a dream materialize out of a distant cloud. As the Cadets passed in front of me I saw the Holy Name Cadet patches on their tunic sleeves, and I understood, finally and forever, the importance of the ties of our lives that bind us. We can argue about many things in drum corps, and we do; but one moment like I experienced today leads to an understanding of what is truly important, and why this absurd little hobby called drum corps, has made us what we are. Following the parade Cadet Alumni and the 2008 marching Cadets joined together at the Hawthorne American Legion Post #199 to share refreshments and restrengthen the bond that began so many, many years ago. The alumni distributed the baseball caps to the Cadets as a symbolic gesture of pride and solidarity. Then, the alumni went up on the stage and sang in tribute to our newest Cadets, The Holy Name Hymn. The alumni on the stage represented 74 years of Cadets who had gone before . They represented those 1917 Cadets, and those 1940s Cadets, and all the other Cadets who have brought us so much honor in the way in which they lived their lives. So that’s how I spent my Memorial Day; remembering, and at long last understanding my past, and the reason why that past , and all of our pasts, were and are, and always will be, important. For Holy Name shall always be…

Anyone wishing definitive information on Cadet History should go to The Cadets/YEA website and access the Holy Name Cadets website link in that manner. The icon is a shield with Holy Name Cadets emblazoned on it. There is a history section on the site that provides detailed information on major elements in Cadet history. 2009 will be the Cadets Diamond Jubilee...75 years of history.

I would like to get in touch with someone who marched in St. Mary'sCardinals, Beverly, Mass.; or someone familiar with their corps history during the 1950s - 1960s. Please PM me and I will send you my email address.

TO ALL CADETS PAST AND PRESENT, MEMBERS OF THE CADET FAMILY, CADET FRIENDS, AND THE DRUM CORPS COMMUNITY. Many of you are aware that one of our own, Cadet David Welch, 1984-87, has been waging a heroic battle against an unforgiving and fearful disease, brain cancer. His battle to date has been prolonged and difficult, but he has never permitted himself to accept the role of victim. David is a fighter...a fighter who has managed to touch and inspire people around the world through his example and through his website, http://www.38lemon.org Now his battle has entered a new and far more difficult phase. David needs us to stand with him as he submits himself, beginning this week, to medical treatment that will be neither pleasant nor easy. He will be waging the fight of his life. We are asking those of you living in the North Jersey area, whatever your religious affiliation, to attend the 10:30 AM Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Name in Garfield this Sunday, January 20th; to join together in prayer for the healing of this very special young man. Those of you living outside the area are asked to pray for him or think of him in your own way next Sunday. God bless David Welch. For Holy Name shall always be...

I think that rehearsing until you drop in pursuit of excellence constitutes preparing for life. I think that learning to think about what you're doing, why you're doing it, and how the lessons being learned are applicable to your future constitutes preparing for life. I think that exercising the self-discipline, motivation, and self-sacrifice necessary to march drum corps constitutes preparing for life. I think that learning to accept personal responsibility for whatever you do or don't do constitutes preparing for life. I think that accepting responsibility to a group, and the necessity to pursue personal excellence to serve both yourself and others in the group, constitutes preparing for life. I think that knowing how to conduct yourself with dignity and self-respect constitutes preparing for life. I think that learning to be mature and thoughtful in your interactions with others constitutes preparing for life. Yes, I think that in some unnecessary and distasteful way young people trying their best to do their best while being disrespected for any reason learn a life-lesson as well. I think they learn there are people in the world who don't respect others, and who believe through some kind of twisted logic that they are "preparing young people for life" by conducting themselves in a manner that would indicate that they themselves need to learn some lessons. Neither differences of opinion, nor "we're not as bad as" comparisons, nor outlandish arguments that bad behavior is kindly intentioned as a "life lesson," can camouflage the fact that disrespect for others is wrong. It's that simple. Yes, it's a hard world out there full of unpleasantness, and we need to prepare our young people to not only face it...but hopefully, to make it better. Our goal, I would like to believe, is to ensure that the lessons they're learning during their years in drum corps will help to make them better people than those they will be replacing in the world. Somehow I doubt that bad behavior from spectators in the stands at any drum corps show will provide the "preparation for life" that will help to accomplish that purpose.

David Welch has inspired more people and touched more lives than anyone I've ever known. I wish I was 1/10th the man he is. In his typical fashion he is facing this ordeal with courage and determination. He has made a commitment to life that humbles me and everyone who knows him. David embodies the human spirit and sends it soaring.

This article was written by Cadet David Welch, 1984-87, and posted on his web site. I regret that I am unable to include the powerful photos that were a part of his posting, but I don't have the computer expertise to make the transfer. Please go to http://www.38lemon.com/dailyjournal.php?y=...p;m=08&d=13 to see the entire article, photos included. You'll be glad you did. David is the most amazing person I have ever met. In the past two years he has been to hell and back, but has never wavered in his optimism, nor looked in any direction but towards the light. I admire him more than anyone I know. He is the ultimate Cadet. That is my highest praise. It is my conviction that David was put on this earth as an example to all of us of what might be, if only we so choose. I am humbled by his example, as you will be when you read what he has written. 13 August 2007 Monday, 11:55 PM High-Level Journal Summary: The final chapter in my story about marching onto the field with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps at their World Championship performance at The Rose Bowl -- a story I needed to complete. After telling many of the specific details about the evening, I took a step back and related it to my experience with brain cancer. In the end, several thoughts rose to the top, all of which I share. But when I juxtapose the feeling I had going into brain surgery on 5/5/05 with this moment on 8/11/07, it is an amazing thing. 2 years, 3 months, and 6 days after I was wondering if I would be alive or not after going into brain surgery, I was celebrating a moment which is among my very best in life. Both of these moments were powerful, and when I remember them side-by-side, the contrast is an emotional swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. It gives pause and makes me celebrate all the medical progress we have made even more. Countdowns: 1.) Day 8 of 28 in my 24th 5/23 Temodar chemotherapy cycle. I have had 9.5 hours of intense and deep sleep in the past 24 hours. My body has been claiming what it needs. My appetite is slowly beginning to return, and I got in a good 1.5 hours of exercise today. All good signs. 2007 Seizure Activity: 1.) Last Simple Partial Seizure, or SPS, was 4 days ago. 2.) In 2007, I have had 33 SPS's in 225 days. This is an average of 1 SPS every 6.8 days. Actual Journal: I sort of need to finish the story I began several days ago on 8/10/07. That is the day I learned that I would have the incredible honor of marching onto the field at the Drum Corps International World Championships alongside The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. Since then, it has all played out. But, what happened? What was the experience like? How did I react? Canceling previous plans I had tickets on the 50 yard line for Finals, but I ended up giving them to Mike Collette, who I marched with back in the mid-80's. I saw Saturday as a once-in-a-lifetime event that I did not want to squander. I ended up going straight to the rehearsal site for The Cadets. At La Canada High School, the corps warmed up for the evening show, putting in their last two hours of preparation. I specifically hung out with the brass section of about 65-70 players. The intensity of the brass section was palpable, and it was only fueled by the intensity of the staff, some of whom I marched with from 1984 to 1987. Getting dressed The brass section warmed up flawlessly. I mean that literally. It was so flawless that the head brass instructor had no words. Gino Cipriani did not say a single word. Not one. I counted. Not a single word. Hand signals were given for the warmup instructions and for the music to play. Not one word was spoken. I brought the buckle I wore in the 1987 DCI Championships, and a covert arrangement with one of the instructors led me to Larissa, a trumpet player I have gotten to know over the last two years. She ended up putting on this beat up buckle instead of her usual belt buckle. Larissa was in tears about the symbolism. 20 years later, wearing the same belt buckle that was worn in the championship performance of the 1987 Cadets. We both loved the moment. On the bus I hopped onto the staff bus and saw old friends who are now teaching. They were going at it. Totally psyched for the evening. Slowly, we made our way to the parking lot of The Rose Bowl. We were on time, but everything was strictly regimented. Quickly, we were line up and headed towards the stadium. In the tunnel It was only a matter of minutes before we were in the tunnel at the Rose Bowl. The members gathered around in a circle and sang the corps song that has been around for much of our 73 year existence. It is a song that all Cadets know, and we always sing it before going onto the field for performance. It is a way of bonding, and many of us consider it a spiritual moment. I was allowed to sing along with the corps, all of us connected with our right hands on the left shoulder of another Cadet. Time to move Then, the time for performance came. I asked someone to hold my fanny pack. I stripped off my sweater and asked someone to hold that, as well. I wanted to go into the stadium wearing a shirt that was in tune with the theme of their show. I was wearing a brand new "This I Believe" shirt that entitled the show they were performing. After much consideration, I thought that would be most respectful. I stood as close as I could to the corps as they marched onto the field in our traditional block formation -- the entire corps packed together as tightly as possible. I had to stand outside this block formation, but I was only about 10 feet away. I was the closest person to the corps at this point. They breathed in together and then exhaled together, like a machine. Intense! They halted before going onto the field. Joe Roach, who I marched with back in the mid-80's, came up and encouraged them one with a final message as they stood at complete attention. "Tell a story! This is what you have worked for all year! Forget everything else. Tell a story. Tell what you believe. Tell your story!" The best way I could describe the energy coming from these 135 members is that it was like molten lava. I could relate, because that is exactly how we went onto the field in 1987 in my final performance with The Cadets that year. It was a powerful reminder of what can be created with a year of focus on one thing and one thing only. It was a stunning moment that cannot be captured or felt from the stands. It is an energy that can only be truly experienced by being a few feet from this molten lava. Onto the field The corps went onto the field at the 50 yard line. I had to turn onto the field a little before that so I would not interfere with them. I noted that the other essay winners had crossed the field on the 35 yard line, but I talked my way into going an extra 5 yards so I could cross the field (from the back sideline to the front sideline) at the 40 yard line, instead. As I looked up, the stands of The Rose Bowl were packed. There had to be over 30,000 people from end zone to end zone ready to take in this experience. Amazing. It was something I remembered so well from my drum corps days...the reason why we all do drum corps in the first place. Performances in major venues for large audiences is an unbelievable and unforgettable experience. Just seeing the crowd from that vantage point was exhilarating. When I got midway across the field, I did something a bit unusual. I plopped down to the grass and kissed the field. I secretly planned to do this, just because I liked the gesture. It was a way to symbolically show respect for the members of the corps -- literally kissing the ground they were about to walk on. Perhaps this may sound silly to some, but in drum corps, we are brothers and sisters who are connected across generations. This commonality of respect is nothing unusual. When I came up, I had grass in my mouth and on my face. That was funny! I had to wipe my face and spit out the grass. I was smiling and laughing and raised both arms towards my friends in the crowd. Performance time The Cadets had not played a note since they left La Canada High School, and within minutes, they kicked off the most physically demanding show of the year. I was sitting in the front row just getting my face blown off, knowing full well that what I was seeing was world class. This was an unusual program with talent and particular skill sets that cannot be found anywhere else in the world beyond drum corps. I was amazed. It was all over in 11 minutes. A year of work to get a performance like that and it was all over in that short a period of time. We went behind the stadium after the show and hung out while the final corps of the evening performed. Everyone knew that they had played extremely well and that they had laid everything on the line. We had time for photographs and for lots of hugs. I was delighted when the current mellophone section asked me to join them in one of their group photographs. Summing all this up I could go on and on and one with details about this evening. Hopefully the above details paint some of the details for what this experience was like. But in relating this evening to the world of brain cancer, which is always the intent of my 38 Lemon online journal entries, I had active thoughts about my brain cancer as I went through this evening. What did I think? As I crossed that field with my old corps, I had several powerful thoughts. 1.) I never would have guessed this moment 20 years ago as I was marching my age-out year with The Cadets. 2.) I am just #### thankful to be alive. 3.) Thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Patrick J. Kelly. God bless you for debulking my brain tumor in a way that still allows me to walk and talk. 4.) We need to have better treatments for brain cancer so that more and more people can have stabilization of their brain cancer and go on to have life experiences otherwise taken from them. Complete inspiration I learned so much from this experience this evening -- from these kids who marched at that level of performance with The Cadets. They are literal reminders of what can indeed be done when there is focus and energy for sustained periods of time towards a common goal, throughout good times and bad. There they were -- living it and exemplifying it. It was that unexpected moment when they were just about to touch the field of performance that struck me the most. When Joe Roach was telling them to focus and tell a story as they gazed straight ahead with the kind of intensity that can only be felt, not described. That was the moment. That was the moment I will not forget...that made the entire trip to California during chemo week worth it, in and of itself. Final thoughts When I talked with Larissa after the show and got my belt buckle back, she said that she caught me out of the corner of her eye when she walked on the field. She saw me kissing the field they were about to march on, and she was moved powerfully by wearing a belt buckle that symbolized generations of people who carry the same values as this current generation of Cadets. That is why writing my "This I Believe" essay was one of the easiest things I have ever written. What an incredible honor to be a part of this evening in this way. It was an outright gift, and it just makes me want to live so much harder in this world. I may sound effusive in the moment, but I will take such criticism without objecting. I'm right on that edge. When I juxtapose the feeling I had going into brain surgery on 5/5/05 with this moment on 8/11/07, it is an amazing thing. 2 years, 3 months, and 6 days after I was wondering if I would be alive or not after going into brain surgery, I was celebrating a moment which is among my very best in life. Both of these moments were powerful, and when I remember them side-by-side, the contrast is an emotional swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. It gives pause and makes me celebrate all the medical progress we have made even more. And for all this portends, amen. For Holy Name shall always be...

The Priest he mentioned was the moderator of St. Joe's of Newark. The Priest at Holy Name during that period was Fr. Ildiphonse Gillogy (sp?). He does not appear on any Holy Name Rosters. To the best of my knowledge St. Joe's never won a national title, but they were often near the top of the pack. They were also trendsetters in the music area. Hy Drietzer was their arranger and horn instructor, and he was with them at his peak of creativity.

That would be St. Joe's of Newark, NJ. They were a very fine drum corps too.

I am a Cadet borg. I am also a Cavalier borg, a Phantom borg, a Vanguard borg, a Trooper borg, a Blue Star borg, a Crossmen borg, a Boston borg, a Colts borg, a Jersey Surf borg. an ECJ borg, a Jubal borg, an Empire Statesman borg, a Bridgemen borg... I guess you get the picture. Name any corps, add borg, and you have my number. I dislike uncomplimentary labels, and I especially dislike them when their use discredits and/or inflames. There are a lot of very intelligent, very articulate people that frequent DCP, and for some reason a few of them seem to use their very impressive vocabularies to belittle other posters, corps, individuals associated with corps, DCI, opposing viewpoints, and whomever/whatever else they choose to defame under the banner of "opinions" or "rights" or "love." Whenever possible they seem to be willing to start fires or throw fuel on whatever fire is raging at the moment by using words as weapons rather than as tools of intelligent discourse; misusing their command of the language to dredge up the most offensive derogatory adjectives they can find, and totally disregarding the most basic standards of civility and fair conduct. And so, in reaction, I find myself voluntarily adopting the designation of Borg! I know, of course, the source of the term on DCP, and I do not believe it was his intent to deliberately hurt anyone or cause harm in any way. That has been the result though, intended or not. Now, to the main point of this post. During the past few weeks there have been several ex-members of Star of Indiana who have described how personally hurt they were by the way they and their corps were treated by the drum corps public during their final two years of participation as a DCI corps. Years later, here on this board, their wounds are still raw, and the pain still obvious. Having read that, how can anyone continue down the road of repeating the injustices they were forced to endure by imposing the same pain on other young people from other corps? For what purpose? Case in point; several posters have referenced the young lady playing the role of the Red Queen in the Cadets' program. They have commented on her physical attributes and their strong negative opinions on the costume she wears. Does the first have any place in a discussion of the Cadets' program, or is it simply offensive and unnecessary? I doubt very much if that poster would like to have a physical critique of himself/herself posted on the net. I'll bet the young lady would come up the winner in that kind of contest every time. I have also heard posters describe her costume as making her look like a "prostitute" or characterizing her as the "red tart." Wouldn't it have been just as easy to say you thought her costume was inappropriate and that you found it personally offensive? Wouldn't that make the same point without hurting someone personally. Or was hurting them personally beside the point to the poster(s)? Yes, we are all different; we enjoy different shows, we enjoy the stylistic direction of some corps over others, we have radically different opinions on what direction drum corps as a collective entity should pursue. We challenge our leadership, though often without any personal concept of the difficulties involved in exercising their responsibilities, or any balancing perspective on the breathtaking scope of their accomplishments. This is a discussion forum, and as others have noted it would not last long without opposing viewpoints, passion, new ideas, criticism and everything else in the mix. We all do have our presumed "right" to offer opinions, and criticism, and praise, and anything else; but with that "right" comes responsibility for personal behavior and an expectation from others that you will respect them and their viewpoints, ideas and suggestions. The anonymity of the internet is not a license to act irresponsibly, or to use superior communication skills to denigrate the viewpoints of others less gifted in that area. There is nothing discussed on this forum important enough to cause other young people the kind of pain we inflicted on the members of Star of Indiana. I have noted with growing admiration the attempts of the DCP administator and moderators to come to grips with this problem, and to thoughtfully strike a balance between open discussion and abusive presentation. I hope they will continue on their present course. I hope too we all will take a moment to consider the consequences of what we say and how we say it. The role of the internet in the evolution of our activity could be a blessing beyond our imagination at present, or it could become an instrument of self-destruction. The end result is pretty much up in the air at this point. To some degree it's in our hands. Please use it thoughtfully.