bucspyke Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 a guy i work with told me a few weeks ago that his dad had marched with a corps from Milton (pa) being that im still pretty young i never even knew they had a corps in Milton. i did some looking around and found out that they were called the Keystoners, and a little info about parades and some competition stuff, but not much else. i was wondering if anyone could give me a little history lesson? i live pretty close to milton so this is a piece of history i'd actually like to know about. plus my co-worker was hoping to learn a little more about what the organization his dad marched with was like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF-LowBari Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 (edited) Check out Info on the RCA thread I started here in the Historic Forum. The Keystoners were mentioned there a few times but not much info outside of the pink and black unis. I'd like to find out myself. We (Westshoremen) had a couple of Keystoners join us in 77 or 78 but I can't remember if the Keystoners were inactive or they just wanted to compete in DCA. Keystoners held the Bucknell show for years and was a bunch of their Alumni there last year. Edited July 1, 2004 by JimF-xWSMBari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Haring Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 I remember the Keystoners being a regular participant at DCA Prelims for several years during the mid-to-late 1980s. They never made Finals, though. Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugleboy1048 Posted July 1, 2004 Share Posted July 1, 2004 I remember the Keystoners marched in our Brockway Pa 4th of July parade in the early 80's I think. They did do a good job and we all liked them here in Western Pa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF-LowBari Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Wow I just learned something, thought their history stopped totally in the 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Keystoners were started in 1947 i believe( trying to remember from the Lewisburg program i now cant find). I believe their last year was 1988, altho i dont remember seeing their name on DCA prelims records tillike 84 or 85. many former Keystoners came to Westshore at certain times...Templin, Wilt, the Criswells, Leroy griffiths...always a great group of fun people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Various Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 My late husband taught the Milton Keystoners in the '50's. They used to send a single engine plane to North Philly Airport to pick him up. The pilot was a 'crop duster' and the flight to Milton always ended with "Turn right at the Acme Market to get to the field". Harry Ginther who taught the drums quit going to Milton because of the plane ride. The Drum Major and Director for the Keystoners was Lou Kepler. He also ran the Cavalcade of Drums in the '50's and '60's. Lou died in 2001. While they were competing, they won the Pennsylvania State Class B Championship at least once that I can remember. The entire town turned out to welcome them back. I have pictures of them somewhere. Don't remember their uniform other than a brown color, but their hats were distinctive. Rather like the hat you see the British Horse Guard (Blues & Royals) wearing. Interesting note....several of the Keystoners were among the first victims of Legionaires Disease. The Milton Legion had sent a large delegation to that fateful State Legion Convention in Philadelphia. You're right - they were and are a great group of people. Carol Hooton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 oh thats right they won that title in 1957. i remember seeing that in the program book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimF-LowBari Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Interesting note....several of the Keystoners were among the first victims of Legionaires Disease. The Milton Legion had sent a large delegation to that fateful State Legion Convention in Philadelphia.Carol Hooton Didn't realize that one Carol. I remember that one victim drove bus for a either a small Jr or All Girl corps (can't remember which). Wonder if that was one of the Keystoners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Various Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Don't know if the bus driver was a Keystoner, but "Goose" who was the bartender at the Milton Legion Post forever, was the first victim from Milton. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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