Bob Holton Awarded Key to the City of Bayonne, NJ

[NY Skyliners PR]

Congratulations to Gerard "Bob" Holton, President of the New York Skyliners Board of Directors, Skyliner Lifetime member, and Member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame - to name a few things - on being awarded the "Key to the City" of Bayonne, New Jersey.

This was awarded to Bob for his lifetime of dedication to the youth of Bayonne, New Jersey, and for the thousands of men and women's lives who he altered. "He has been involved in molding the character of countless Bayonne youths through his selfless dedication for over 50 years.

As an instructor and administrative officer of the Bayonne Bridgemen Drum & Bugle Corps, Bob helped instill the moral and ethical qualities necessary for them to launch their professional careers, and through his exemplary example set the template for family harmony and happiness."

The proclamation was read on the floor of the Capital building by the Senator in Washington, DC and a flag in Bob's honor flew above the Capital building. Today's ceremony took place in Bayonne at City Hall. It was a great day!!!

This is a well deserved award for Bob Carol Holton. Congratulations to Bob, Carol and the Holton family for their dedication to Bayonne youth and the New York Skyliners, too.

Edited November 23, 2016 by NY Skyliners PR

[Fran Haring]

Bob was a big factor in putting a then-unknown drum corps from Bayonne, NJ, on the map in the 1960s and beyond. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Congratulations to him on a well-deserved honor!!!

Edited November 23, 2016 by Fran Haring

[xandandl]

Congratulations to Bob.

I remember being with him at the first DCI Rules Congress when he successfully convinced all assembled that the size of a DCI corps should be a maximum of 128 because that is what 3 buses would hold.

He said that he could fill four buses with kids from Bayonne and he realized that Midwestern corps and Massachusetts CYO corps were much smaller. But he stuck to his guns in a gentlemanly way.

DCI expanded and marched 128 until the size of buses became larger.

Edited November 25, 2016 by xandandl

[MikeD]

I judged with Bob from the mid-70's into the late 90's. A class guy all around!