ContraLou

Gary, Message with photos sent.

Gary, I tried to PM you but it couldn't be sent. Please send another PM with an EMAIL address that I can send the pictures and details. Thanks

I have a Wilson 4 valve Super Magnum with a MTS case for sale. PM me and I'll send you pictures if you are interested.

Hi Craig, What took you so long?? I thought you might have come to the table before my friend Ghost.. My comment on the alumni feelings come from my friends who are former members of the Crusaders from the 60's & 70's. It's no secret they were not happy. I'm sure you have seen the Emails. Yes the red jackets were not abandoned, thankfully. With so many corps searching for an identity today there was no need to mess with the iconic look of the Boston Crusaders that is so well recognized throughout drum corps for the sake of the "show". We are in agreement on the name.

Now not that I'm in favor of it, but that would be an appropriate name since the Washington Redskins were at one time (1930's) the Boston Redskins after they were the Boston Braves, but I like the Boston Infidels better. Or better yet, why don't we just say never mind to the political correctness crap and leave the name alone. I think the corps management learned a big lesson from their alumni for changing their uniform color to gray. I don't think they would ever consider making an even bigger mistake by fooling with the name. There would be an uprising.

Here is Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Alumni playing their version at last year's DCA. They're playing it again this year too.

Congratulations on your return and I hope you have much success in the future. I too remember the Columbians from the 63 VFW Nationals as well as the Ambassadors. I have buttons from both corps. I tried to take in as much as I could of the corps I hadn't seen before being that we were the only east coast corps (Spartans) to go to the VFW that year. I remember the instant concerts by many corps in the parking lot after the contest and thinking how impressed I was with them and how much fun everyone was having.

Ghost, Thanks for the memories. Pretty good letter isn't it?? I haven't seen it in years. Although it was issued before I joined SKEK I have an original copy. I think everyone who joined the corps after that letter was written got a copy on their first day. It was not meant to put down the Crusaders, instead it was using the Crusaders as an example of what hard work can accomplish. St. Kevin's at the time was becoming a little too comfortable with themselves and "The Letter" as it has become to be known, was a tool to motivate the members of the horn and drum lines. The color guard is not mentioned because it was the one section that wasn't having problems. There is much folklore about who composed the letter, but A Member doesn't necessarily mean a marching member. Some think it might have come from the Assistant Corps Director or because of the stylish writing pened by the departed Corps Director Ed Rooney himself. I still don't know. The Letter did have an effect on the corps. It helped get the heads cleared and although things didn't start out great for the corps early in the season, by mid summer (The Dream) things did turn around and the corps finished the season very strong by finally pulling ahead of the Crusaders, winning the Dream, finishing high at the VFW Nationals and winning the CYO Championship. Hard work and Determination = Success. And for the record, St. Kevin's didn't beat the Crusaders again after the 1964 season. There's a lot that can be said for the rivalries in Boston with as many corps as there were in the 60's. The Crusader - St. Kevin rivalry was just as much a neighborhood rivalry with the corps coming from different sections of Dorchester as it was a local/national drum corps rivalry. There were off field issues throughout the years. A lot of it due to dating a member of the other corps. Others just due to bad blood, I.E. 67 AL Nationals parade in Boston.

Just checking to see if anyone will be posting comments and or scores from tonights Mini Corps and I & E. Best of luck to my buds in Mass Brass.

Kool Topic.. Regarding St. Kevin's, The Emerald Kinghts feeder corps was named the Emerald Gems (Class B) and their feeder corps was the Emerald Chips (Class C). My wife was a member of all three. Add another unique All Girl corps name, The Suburbanettes from Hudson, NH. The original sponsor of the corps was Suburban Dairy Products.

Easy Rich. I think the low prediction is due more to the fact that it's your teams first year in and are an unknown. Since both Sine Wave and Crunchy will be on early, I expect you will both score very well to set the bar for the corps who are on later in the show. Sometimes going on early helps, I.E. Golden Eagles in 04 and Mass Brass in 08. Can't wait to see you guys in Rochester. We need to meet up with Dennis and Tommy Mic after the show for a contra chug.

I'm sorry to hear this news but can understand the reasons why. I always enjoyed the entertaining shows put on by the Yankee Rebels.

Huh.. Who Knew? All this time I thought, with the music we've been playing, we were Mexico's corps. But then again, maybe not, most of us are legal. The credit may go to former Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi who resigned under scrutiny for alleged ethics violations, and was indicted by a federal grand jury following an investigation of influence-peddling involving his close friends. Third Speaker in a row that has been indicted. Chicago has nothing over Mass politics. Sal's a big fan of Mass Brass. We play for food in front of his house during the North End fest. Since he found out we are using the Mass state logo unauthorized, he says that we're his "Boys". In the true spirit of the Boston North End, we owe him.

Hey Rich, Do you have any week night rehearsals? I'll be in town the 15th & 16th & would like to see you guys.

Joe, We're looking forward to the show this Saturday. We'll have plenty of Dorchester shrimp with us for the party. see you there.