The Bridgemen Make The Most of Memorial Day Weekend!
by James Reilly

7:30am, Monday morning, brought us back together again in front of St. Andrew for our annual corps photo on the steps of the site that first launched the Bridgemen over 42 years ago. Jim Pona graciously agreed to be our photographer this day, forsaking his spot in the member portrait. Father Doherty, departing pastor of St. Andrew and one of our most eager supporters, joined us for the portrait. George Lavelle reminded us that Fr. Doherty gave us a home and practice facilities in the new era, ensuring that there could BE a new Bridgemen corps.

Around 10:00, we headed over for opening ceremonies to remember the fallen heroes of battles past. The somber ceremony was capped off by the Bridgemen hornline performing Larry Kerchner's touching arrangement of “Taps” that left the audience speechless.

This year, Commander Glen Flora (of Joyce-Herbert VFW Post #226) was a Marshall of the Bayonne parade and had the privilege of arranging for the Bridgemen to be near the front of the parade. We entered the parade sometime around 10:45 and headed up Broadway, greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of Bayonne's citizens. Some were seeing our distinctive yellow & black coats for the first time, while some were seeing them for the first time in decades. Kudos to the color guard for doing equipment work in the hot sun while wearing black from head to toe.

The sidewalk audience gave us a warm welcome and cheered wildly as we passed them. We stopped at the old bank/new museum at 9th Street and gave our awaiting alumni and fans a helluva show. We launched into Larry's creative spin on “My Favorite Things” to dazzle them, then gave them “The William Tell Overture” for good measure. It was a comfort to know we pleased our loudest cheering section.

We withstood the day's sun and heat along the parade route, to belt out “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” in memory of America's heroes whose lives were lost on battlefields here and abroad. Brian Law played the part of a spectator when he waited on the sidewalk for the hornline to go by and yelled out “C'mon, play a song!” John Riccardi pointed to a blank spot in the middle of the baritones and called out, “Hey look, we have a missing man formation for ya!”

At the Reviewing Stand, we set up and unleashed “In The Stone” for an awesome reception from the crowd. We left them with “Battle Hymn” to commemorate this day of remembrance.

Afterward, we circled up around Director George Lavelle and he thanked us for our concerted effort to entertain the people of Bayonne, and give a little something back to the community that supports us.

A bus brought many of our members back to the starting point of the parade. Many Bridgemen members and staff headed over to Glen Flora's VFW Post #226 to unwind. You could hear “oooh” and “ahhh” over the amazing military displays he's put together to proudly chronicle Bayonne's participation in past conflicts, in defense of our great nation.

The weekend concluded for us, and we walked away knowing we'd accomplished a great deal as we showed off how we're “Raising the Bar” this season.

In just a few weeks, we unveil the 2007 field edition of the Bridgemen on June 23rd at Veteran's Stadium for our Tournament of Stars show. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, remember that tickets are cheaper in advance, and you get in the stadium sooner to score prime seats.

Glen's VFW Post (on 9th Street, near Broadway) is hosting an awesome party for friends and family of the Bridgemen after the show. You'll eat and drink in the company of drum corps' consummate entertainers after a night of great corps shows.

See you June 23rd!