Ray Priester

Yeah, it could have been Carlisle but definitely not Balimer. I seem to remember the Post where the party was held was in a rather rural area and itself was a bit rustic.

It might have been, Bill, but I can't confirm it. The old brain box just ain't what it used to be. Still and all, a great time to be in corps! Ray

First saw them at the '58 Dream and they were excellent that day also. And this was the season after they "lost" the A.L. Nationals in Atlantic City. Guessing that the 'good ol' boys' didn't like the idea of an All-Girls National Champion. For shame. They would have carried the orange flag with distinction! GREAT Corps!

The one and only!!!!!

And he didn't get the uniforms mixed up either. Always has his **** together! Many years ago at an after show party in Hershey, I saw #3 bite the head off a recently deceased mouse on a dare/bet with a large group of guys from many corps. He did, he won the bet and he bought a round of drinks with his winnings. At least he did for those who weren't gagging or worse. I guess he had to get the taste out of his mouth. Just another wild and crazy guy!!!! Yuck.

And before that they ran 13-15 minutes. Still, with 11-13, it was plenty of time to get a couple of full numbers in there without resorting to a snippet of this and a hint of that, etc.. That's another reason why folks left the show whistling or humming what they just heard, because they actually heard pretty much a full tune and not just a chord or two. Way too many of today's shows come across as horn exercises or buzz roll rim-shot warm ups. JMHO. Hell, even Hy's medleys of tunes gave you enough to know what was actually being played and didn't leave the fans saying WTF? Ray

Correctamundo! "Where do we go from here" was the flip side of Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4, according to Google.

Geez, Ron, 4 minutes to respond? You're slowing down in your old age! Ray

He also played contra with Skyliners Alumni and Reilly.

Yep, the Colorado Connection himself!

OK folks, to get back on track here with #489. All sorts of hints laid out there for the first guy on the right. I'm guessing that Don is the only one who doesn't recognize Johnny "Grass" Urspruch who was a member of the USAF Academy corps before he came to the Skyliners way back when. The academy is also where he attained his nickname of "Grass" for some reason or other. LOL. The second guy is better known as a Contra Bass player with Yankee Rebels competing corps ( I'm not certain of his junior corps affiliations ). After them, he played with more than a couple of different alumni corps. Sadly, he was taken from all of us WAY too soon and is missed very much. Always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. Have at it!

R.I.P. to one of the good guys. Condolences to his family and friends in St. Raphael's Bucs, the Hurricanes and Park City Pride and the WDCHoF. Ray and the Skyliner family

I stand corrected. Thank you Fran and Jeff. Memory isn't what it used to be for some stuff. Ray

Back atcha, Nanci! Going to Clifton Saturday?? ( where all that love came to a head! )

Kinda like the Long Island Sunrisers being announced as from Casper, Wyoming some years back. And their Director on the announcement was Chuck U. Farley, right Fran? Ray

Garbarina-Mazarakos Post has NEVER owned their own building. The Post was supposed to get a 99 year lease, at $1.00/year, on one way back in the early 50s as payment for performing at a bunch of political rallies and as a result of the winning of the 1949 and 1950 A.L. National Championship. Political promises being what they were and are, the Post never got the building. Some things never change, sigh. The Post is still around today but for the last 50 years or so it exists in the mailboxes of many Past Commanders and the current one. Meetings were held at members homes or at a facility where the corps was rehearsing. The Post is an association of veterans, not a building. And our members are spread far and wide around the country, so official meetings are infrequent. But, we are still here!!!! Ray Commander/Adjutant/Treasurer/etc.

OK, Don. First guy plays soprano, his nick-name was based on a "lawn cutting service", which it really was not. Come on now, put on your thinking cap. You know him and even competed against him and his corps in the distant past. Both corps ( yours and his ) had much love for each other BITD, not. This one should be a snap for you; the next guy will not. Just blast away with your answer as soon as it comes to you. and it will! Ray

Hang in there, Nanci. We're here for you!

According to the various programs and documentaries this week, Lee's words were "if practicable". Apparently Ewell felt his men were too worn out from the day's fighting that he did not feel it was "practicable". And if Meade had taken the initiative on July 3, he could have possibly overtaken and soundly defeated the Army of Northern Virginia and brought the war to a swifter conclusion than going on for another 2 years. Having visited the battlefield a few times, it becomes very emotional when you consider the carnage that took place in that small cross-roads town. Bruce Caton's "This Hallowed Ground" covers the three day battle in detail and is a great read, along with his 2 trilogies covering the entire war. What a period in our history! Ray

And, yes, he is a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

OK, one more. His first name and middle initial is Edward V. One comment he made was when Wes said "------, we can't make that spot in those counts". The subject's reply was "Take bigger steps!". Does this help you out?

Also taught Sky briefly in the late 60s while we were still in "Kingsbridge Armory" mode.

But we DID have a Snake and an Eel.

BINGO!!!!!!!

Another hint, his first name begins with E.