ScottyG

I too enjoyed it. Any videos available?

You can check out some of the former Keesler Blue Knights on their alum website. Includes Sam and me. Keesler AFB Blue Knights I was there for over a year starting late '61 attending the Air Traffic Control Radar tech school and Sam was there in '84.

Actually during the 50's, Standard Dry Ale outsold all other beers/ales combined in the Rochester area.

Lee, My brother and Sister-In-Law were here yesterday from Greece (Rochester suburb) and said they had seen the ad on TV and were most impressed. They are not DC fans but have supported my participation and interest in senior corps forever. Thanks for doing such a great job and may the stands be full. Leaving Central FL for Rochester at O'Dark 30 Monday morning.

Actually, combined corps from Rochester would be unbeatable. History would repeat itself.

Your folks did a highly credible show. The announcer did not mention that you were all age. After the delay I really enjoyed the standstill. Crown's standstill show did not include any of their field show numbers. Truly amazing! See you in Rochester!

Dick used to drive over from Syracuse in his rusted out 55 Chevy. We would have drum line practice in the old Ridge Culver firehouse. I saw him last in Allentown at DCA weekend. We reminisced about how great it was! Dick wrote some sensational parts for the time! As I mentioned previously, Guy was the technical driver for the section. We got our instruction in his basement in Greece (I think). Look forward to seeing Guy each year at DCA! Here is the link to my alumni page for the Keesler AFB Blue Knights: http://www.keeslerblueknights.com/IanGlenday.html

That was 1960. Colin marched late 50's with Ridge-Culver Statesman with Steve Gadd, Fuzzy and me. To say we were a tight knit group would be the understatement of the year. In '59 Vince had us marching with Hilton and the Statesmen. Colin and I taught the Alpine Girls drum line from their inception. In those days two of the greatest drummers were "Little" Stevie Gadd and "Little" Billy McGrath. They seemed to do well in later years as well! I failed to mention that our drum instructors were part of the equation that got us to the top. Our lead instructor and arranger in 1960 was Dick Mercurio from Syracuse. Guy Ianello was the technical instructor that trained us on the aspects of rudimental drumming. Love all those guys!!!

Great guys! Reminds me of the first time Crusaders drum line took high drums against; Archy, Reading and the Yankee Rebels. That year we had three major contests on the 4th of July weekend. Started in Hershey, PA, then to Pittsfield, MA and finished in Rome, NY. It was at Hershey that we beat out some of the top drum lines. The corps came in third place. Our line included: Collin Campbell, Tom "Fuzzy" Falzone, Dutch Heinkel, Steve Gadd, George Walton, Roger Ellender, Glen "Woody" Woodhams, Murray Stohler, Chuck Issacs and me. For a corps recently moved from Hilton to Irondequoit that was quite a feat.

So, who were those masked men playing drums that year?

Thanks Tom and Don! Anyone else notice that the left and right channels are reversed? Once I reversed my headset it made it ok.

It's great to see the responses here! Quite a few of my friends from Drum Corps served. I see them at DCA finals nearly every year. God Bless all of those who have served and are serving today! Thanks to everyone who appreciate what the military does in protecting our freedoms! Here is a link to my days with the Keesler AFB Blue Knights: http://www.keeslerblueknights.com/IanGlenday.html

So, was Empire's Color Guard that weak according to Mickey Kelly's 174 score? Would like to see what they scored in Prelims!

Tom was one of the greatest Bobby Thompson style drummers of the 60's. Because he was such a private person, only those who were close to him really got to know how wonderful he was. Being a member of drumlines (Ridge Culver and Crusaders) with Tom, Colin, Steve, Roger, George, Dutch, Woody, Murry, Tom P. et al, are some of my fondest memories. Rest in peace my friend!

Here's the story, the link didn't work. Neighbors Sound Off on PAETEC Mess by Seth Voorhees Published Sep 05, 2007 More now on some outraged neighbors of PAETEC Park. We first told you about on Monday about neighbors upset over piles of trash left behind in the streets after a weekend event. Neighbors called to complain about the piles of trash that littered streets near PAETEC Park. The park had just hosted the Drum Corps Associates World Championships. A spokesman for PAETEC Park told R News the trash was the responsibility of the competition's organizers. A spokesman for the Drum Corps Associates told us he wasn't sure why the trash wasn't picked up. "It was terrible," said neighbor Lucille Illi. "I just was appalled! I said, 'we never had that when we had hoodlums in the neighborhood.' " Employees of neighboring businesses and city refuse crews eventually picked up the trash. Rochester's Parks and Recreation commissioner says the city will work with organizers and participants at future events to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Doc was everything Gary said and more. My condolences to his family! Doc is shown here with Vince Bruni.

Dick was a true gentleman. He wrote drum parts in 1960 for the Irondequoit Crusaders. I really enjoyed learning from him. He will be missed. God Bless!!!

I marched with the Hilton Crusaders in 1959. Vince Bruni moved the corps to Irondequoit, NY in 1960 where we were known as the Fabulous Crusaders. They were part of the United Drum Corps organization he formed that year which included the Crusaders, Ridge Culver FD Statesmen, Irondequoit (the first Statesmen corps he was affiliated with) and the Alpine Girls, Irondequoit (who had Alpine style uniforms and musical selections.

The majority of established DCA Corps were always Senior Drum Corps. Most were started after WWII and competed under American Legion and VFW auspices prior to the establishment of DCA. So, since neither DCA or DCI existed then, your assumption is incorrect. Ian

This was a great DCA weekend. Well worth the drive up from Florida. One of my friends who attended in a wheel chair was put off by the lack of handicapped parking close to the stadium. It does not appear to comply with State law. Also, many people complained about the long walk to Smith Street to buy tickets and then around the back of the stadium after buying tickets at the stadium. I pointed out that this is not a DCA issue but the layout of the stadium. That did not appear to help. I was a cold, wet sponge Saturday despite my raingear but managed to dry out and have a great Sunday with Alumni and Final along with a traditional pre-finals dinner with great drum corps friends. Looking forward to coming home again next year for bigger and better finals. Congratulations to all who participated in DCA this year and to the magnificint perfformers who came out on top. Scotty

In 1956/7, Steve Gadd became a snare drummer with the Ridge-Culver Firemens' Corps in Irondequoit, NY. I was playing snare at that time. The drumline then included Collin Campbell, Tom Falzone, Louis Montulli, Paul Dworkin, Tom Powell, Murray Stoeler and Glen Woodhams. This was just after Vince Bruni came along with Guy Ianello as instructors. The Corps became the Ridge-Culver Statesmen in 1959. It was then that several Corps members played full time with the Statesmen and part time with the Hilton Crusaders. In 1960 Steve and I and some of the drum line went to play with the Crusaders who were now also in Irondequoit, NY. Vince started a local DCA with the Statesmen, Crusaders, Alpine Girls and Pardee Pacers. Collin instructed the snares for Alpine and I instructed the tenors. During this time Collin, Steve and I hung out a lot and we saw Steve sit in with some really great musicians. They were always impressed with his capabilities. By the way, Steve went to Eastridge HS in Irondequoit where the Empire Statesmen have been known to practice. I went in the AF after the 60 season and didn't see Steve for some time when he was playing in the Army band. Lots of water over the dam but we sure did have a great time in drum corps. I believe the the Crusader portion of the Fleetwood album entitled the Boys of Syracuse was done at the Highland Bowl in Rochester in 1961. I wasn't there but heard that only one snare played for that and it was Steve. If I'm wrong in that someone please correct me

The USAF volunteer drum corps were governed by a USAF regulation and were funded through the Non Appropriated funds activity (formerly called Recreation Services). These monies came from profits from the Base and Post Exchnges. I established a small corps at Plattsburgh AFB, NY (SAC) in 1963 to play for a Base parade. Some who have logged in to the Blue Knight website have said they were in volunteer drum corps at other non training bases as well. While at Keesler in the Blue Knights, we shared musical duties with the Regular AF Band assigned to Keesler. We did a daily troop change where 10,000 students came and went to classes in squadron formations. This was done at noon time between the A and B shift classes. Tuesdays and Thursdays we played for the formal Retreat ceremony where the colors were taken down for the day. One Saturday a month we did a large training parade and another Saturday a month we did a full Base parade where all active duty and training squadrons on the base participated. And we still had rehearsals and going to class six hours a day as well as homework. We had a great time, kept us out of trouble in Biloxi. :D

The Keesler AFB Blue Knights website has been updated. We need more pictures, member info and music. Please contact Rich Kirchner if you have stuff to contribute. Sign the guestbook and let him know what you think of the site. Thanks! Keesler AFB Blue Knights website: http://www.keeslerblueknights.net/

and we love you guys too! Hurry back. please :)

According to an article in the Democrat & Chronicle, the field will be turf not grass. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports...J3_sports.shtml Regardless, I'm really glad it is in Rochester.