Donate Shop Instruments Buy Merchandise
Home Page About Us History Book Photos Rest In Peace History

Cadets News

January 30, 2009

Hello Holy Name


News of Our Corps

DCI

Listen to Don Angelica´s solo from
1957

DCA Drum Corps Hall of Fame Cruise & The Inauguration Parade

By Bill Gaeckle

I enjoyed the Cadets performance at the Inauguration Parade - It is a shame they had to wait around so long. I know that waiting can be brutal. I performed in the 1969 Parade for Richard Nixon with the Marine Drum Corps and we froze our fingers and toes off waiting around for our turn to perform. The brass players were using rubbing alcohol to keep the valves ice free.

The members who performed in Washington will remember their contribution to this historic day for the rest of their lives...God Bless them all.

On a much lighter note....I just got back from a wonderful 5 day cruise in the Carribean with the DCA Drum Corps Hall of Fame cruise. The Cadets were represented well with our table of former members from Holy Name/Garfield eras. I have attached a picture of our group for your review and you are welcome to put on the web site if you'd like.

The folks in the group shot are Bill & Christine Gaeckle;Bob & Elaine Peterson;Cathy and Bob Cardaneo; and Jim & Carol D'Amico.

I hope you enjoy - we certainly had a great time and a lot of laughs.

Stay well and we look forward to seeing you this summer.

FHNSAB

Bill Gaeckle

65,66,67 72, 74,75,76

Another Page In Our History Book,
Another Cadet Triumph, Another Reason To Be Proud.

As written by Caryn Goebel on the YEA website: www.yea.org

These are just a few of the amazing stories and feedback received from members and fans since Tuesday! There's more, but before you read on, remember the corps desperately asks for your support to help defray the $40,000 price tag of the trip to Washington, D.C.

Just $44 in support includes a special gift to you - a treasured photo of the Cadets in the Nation's Capitol on that amazing day! Contact The Cadets at www.yea.org for additional information on how to become a donor.

One hundred and fifty Cadets have returned to their home or school. They have thawed their fingers and toes brought on by hours spent in bone-chilling temperatures. And now they are going over in their minds the fantastic memories of everything special about Tuesday, Jan. 20th.

The Cadets performance in the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade was a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As the uniforms are being cleaned and stored, trucks unloaded and planning moves full speed ahead on a spectacular 75th Anniversary season, the Cadets want to share with you in their own words what it meant to have the opportunity to march down Constitution Avenue:

"Having the honor to perform for the president will be a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am studying to become a history teacher some day and this opportunity allowed me to witness first hand a ceremony our nation has observed for generations. The Cadets provided me with an experience I will no doubt share with my students for years to come."

Scott McAnally, 19

Euphonium '2007-present "I felt honored and humbled to have the opportunity to perform with such an amazing group for President Obama. The memory of being there will long outlast the cold!"

Carla Shayman, 22

Colorguard

"Marching in the 2009 Inauguration Parade was quite the experience. This may have been the coldest and toughest parade to march, but the most memorable. Last year, I marched my final year of drum corps in the rifle line, and I was so sure that last summer was going to be the last experience I had with the Cadets but marching in front of Obama, definitely topped my marching experience. It was such an honor to see our newly inaugurated President Obama wave proudly as we spun in tribute of him. It felt, for that moment, as though the cold temperatures were gone and my exhaustion had disappeared, for I had never felt so proud to be a Cadet." ?

?Marc Paulo Guzman, 20

Color Guard

"I had an OUTSTANDING time while performing for the first time as a Cadet guard member. .. I will also never forget how much fun the bonding time with the other guard members was. When we finally got into uniform, the rush came that I was a member of the Cadets and I am performing for the President…. Standing outside with the corps waiting for the parade to start, I became extremely close to everyone and I was totally at ease because I felt like they were all family. When the parade did begin I forgot about the cold, put on my smile, and performed my heart out. Being a first time member of the Holy Name Cadets, I am so very thankful that this was the occasion that I get to remember as my very first performance."

Stephanie Barrick, 19

Colorguard

"Except for getting delayed and standing in the freezing weather for what felt like days, I would say that it was an incredible day that I wouldn't trade for anything else. It was an incredible honor to be able to perform in the parade. To look over and see the President watching me, smiling and waving, I felt very privileged to be able to perform for him."??Patricia Kee, 21?Colorguard

"…I was in awe of how many people were there. There were people as far as the eye could see. It was probably one of the most breathtaking experiences I've had in my life. …After all the cold and fatigue, something had clicked in my head that it was time to perform. Mentally, the cold was gone. … The actual Presidential stand was really cool. Bright lights, announcers, Obama and Biden! We were on the world stage for nearly a minute. It was awesome!"

Bradley Bower, 20

Front Ensemble

"When friends and family ask me if I had fun playing in the Inaugural Parade on Tuesday, I tell them that "Did I have fun?" isn't exactly the question they should be asking me. It's far deeper than "fun." Through the freezing weather, the most powerful element motivating the corps to keep pushing was knowing that everyone else was also going through the same exact experience. This is a lesson not easily learned and usually does not come until the intense heat of spring training. The drum corps, after only three camps, grew immensely close over the course of that day. I believe that there was something very real and very beautiful amidst Tuesday's hardships."

Jordan Fisch, 19

Trumpet

"Being able to perform in an event that made history was unforgettable. The crowd had died down by the time we got through the parade, but that meant nothing. The most amazing part of the whole experience was seeing the corps look flawless behind me as I turned during our work, and realizing that I was parading through Washington, D.C., (having never been there before), with the Cadets. It felt so unreal and I cherished every second. Although everyone experienced a new level of being freezing cold that day, it brought a special bond as we huddled for warmth. This is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

Mallory Yohannan, 18

Colorguard

"Marching in the 2009 Inaugural Parade was an amazing experience and one I will always remember."

Karen Kauffmann, 21

Cymbals

"I felt very honored to be one of the few alumni that got a chance to march in Obama's Inaugural parade with the Cadets. It was an incredible experience that I will remember for the rest of my life."

Ryan Tinker, 22

Baritone

"The parade for me was a very satisfying feeling. Although (because of the cold) many of the people that were there to watch us march by ended up leaving by the time we got on, to be a member of the Cadets, a group that I have dreamed about being a part of for so long, and to represent them for the President of the United States is something I will never forget. It was a bonding experience for the members and coming out of it, it is something that I will be proud to say that I did for the rest of my life. My brother was also marching in the parade, which also shows that the Cadets don't just represent a marching ensemble, but a family."

Vanessa Wudyka, 18

Front Ensemble

"The energy throughout the whole city and the rush I felt when we finally got moving and were near the crowds and the reviewing stand was incredible. But the greatest feeling was realizing again as we approached the start of the parade that I was wearing Maroon and Gold. Game on."

Bryan McLaughlin, 20

Baritone

"The Inaugural Parade was tied to a very unique experience. This is my first year with the Cadets and it opened my eyes to see how much everyone cares about one another in this outstanding organization. No one expected to wait for more than 5 hours before marching the parade in the bitter cold. Regardless of the temperature, this experience really brought new and old Cadets alike closer together. We looked out for each other and helped to keep warm and kept pushing everyone else to not give up on the rare and unique opportunity of marching in the parade."

Sam Foldy, 18

Trumpet

"A unique and unforgettable experience that will remain unmatched throughout the rest of my life."

Thomas Baker, 19

Euphonium

ROM NEAR AND AFAR…

The words of praise and pride also echoed through emails and on Web sites just minutes after the Cadets appeared on National television stations across the country, and world.

"A real class act - and yes, freezing!"

Laurie Richards

"Congrats for the great showing at the Inaugural Parade. You folks got a lot of air time. And the commentators did not speak too much over the top of you! (that sure was not the case for all of the groups!) I would say from my perspective that it was a big hit!! I hope you were all proud of the experience. I know as a former team member and coming from the Vic Firth viewpoint, that I sure was! Share some thoughts about the experience when you can. And of course, pass my best regards onto the members and staff!"

Proudly,

Neil Larrivee

Director of Education, Vic Firth Inc.

"As a fan, an American and a proud supporter of President Obama, please know that I appreciate the efforts it took to participate in the parade. The Cadets were/are shining star among the many fine groups and an example of the finest that the marching arts activity has to offer. Your staff, your membership and your management have yet again, set the bar! And as always Mr. Hopkins, you have lead your organization into the history books with the grace, excellence and achievement that leads by example. For what it is worth, I am proud of you and your organization and most of all salute the effort! Thank you for all that you do and I am sure will continue to do in the lives of those who are touched through and by your organization." With the deepest respect and appreciation,

Joe Le Roux

Once again an apology is due to all of you for the length of time between postings. Health issues injected themselves into the picture once again. I appreciate your patience as we continue to seek out an alumnus sensitive to alumni issues and perspective who would be willing to carry this website forward into the future. During my time out of the picture ATT purged my email site along with my entire address book, so it will take some time to be reconstructed. My new email is dshaw40@gmail.com. I do have a printout of the list, but the list must be reentered manually which will take a considerable amount of time. Your patience will be very much appreciated as I work on this project. Unfortunately, I have been instructed by the medical professionals supervising my treatment that I must severely limit the time I spend on the computer each day. When you message me at my new email address your information will be recorded automatically, which will help to speed up the process considerably.

So here we are…2009…our Diamond Jubilee Year.
To Cadet Alumni of 75 years the big party is about to begin.

Great pain is mixed with this joy however. Cadet David Welch, our ultimate Cadet inspiration and model, has reached the end of his journey on this earth. You have probably already noted the information currently posted on the face page of this website. Additional information can be obtained by accessing www.38lemon.com. We celebrate the life and accomplishments of David, and give thanks that we were privileged to call him brother. God will that the example of his courage, his grace, his compassion, his fortitude, his generosity of spirit, and his all-encompassing love for his fellow man and for his corps will be imbedded in our minds and hearts as we all travel our own life journey. David was known and loved by a great many people in many areas of endeavor. We pray that we may prove worthy of the example of a life–well-lived that he left as his gift to all of us. For Holy Name shall always be…

THE FIRST GATHERING-OF-THE-MAROON FOR 2009
WILL BE ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 7 PM,
AT THE VFW HALL ON OUTWATER LANE IN GARFIELD.
As these gatherings now move into their third year we find ourselves the happy recipients of renewed friendships, stronger bonds with fellow Cadets, new friendships with Cadets from other eras, and an ever-growing recommitment to our corps. We have found that opinions we held of our corps, of drum corps as an activity, and of each other, that were formed when we were young and had different priorities, have now matured into a rich treasure-trove of cherished memories and enduring values. We gather once a month now…we eat a little…we have a few drinks…we talk…we laugh…and we share a common realization of how fortunate we all were to have had the opportunity to be a Cadet and be a part of this 75 year history of the Holy Name experience.

It's a bit late to be reporting on the last gathering of 2008 held the first Thursday of last December, but it was too great an event to be overlooked. It was by far our largest and most successful gathering to date, with over 75 Cadets, spouses, and friends in attendance. Unfortunately the sign-in sheet for this gathering was misplaced, so I am unable to provide a list of the attendees. Acting on a suggestion from George King and the Alumni Corps, we upgraded this last gathering of 2008 into a holiday extravaganza. The Alumni Corps generously provided a huge hot-food Italian buffet, which was supplemented by donations of finger food appetizers and a wide array of desserts (thanks to Jim Messina it was cheese cake heaven). Best of all many spouses joined with us for this special event. Thanks to all for making the last gathering-of-the-maroon for 2008 a really special night. And, yes, of course we sang The Holy Name Hymn at 8:30 PM in our established tradition to bring to a fitting close our 74th year.

On January 19th our corps will be participating in the Inaugural Parade of President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. It will be a day of pride and celebration for Cadets of all generations as our 2009 75th Anniversary Year Holy Name Cadets march down Pennsylvania Avenue. They will be marching as The Cadets of Allentown, Pennsylvania, for a number of very good reasons; but as we all watch and swell with pride, it will be Holy Name we will be watching. We would be remiss if we did not remind our alumni that this great honor was solely due to the vision of George Hopkins and the work of his staff. We agree with George that whatever the cost (and alumni donations to cover expenses for this once-in-a-lifetime event are desperately needed), this appearance will provide a lifetime memory for our 2009 marching Cadets. In addition, as alumni we will be marching along with them in spirit, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, as we have done for 75 years. Sometimes we forget that Cadet history is not all about yesterday…our time, our years in uniform. Cadet history is also about today and tomorrow and what is to come. An event like this further strengthens the bond that binds one Cadet to another, 1934 until 2009 and beyond.

Upper Left: Inaugural Seals. Donated by Reno.    Upper Right: (L) Chris Zentner. (R) Ben Pouncey.
Lower Left: Custom Wool Caps.    Lower Right: Parade Block Woodstown, NJ.
photos courtesy of Rich (Scotty) McGarry. click on photo to enlarge.



NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ALUMNI 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
AS PER SPOKESPERSON JOHN AVELLA:


OH HOLY NAME, MY HOLY NAME…We're going to be hearing that a lot in 2009 as The Cadets, to honor our Diamond Jubilee 75th Anniversary year, readopt our 1934 founding year identity, The Holy Name Cadets, for the 2009 season only.

Thousands of Holy Name Alumni, from the Church years, the Garfield Cadet Years, The Cadets of Bergen County years, and The Cadets years, will gather together to celebrate our history and heritage.

This historic season will be bookended by two spectacular weekends of events. The first, Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, will be an alumni organized celebration, by an all-alumni 75th Anniversary Committee. The second series of events , The 75th Anniversary Drum Corps Weekend will be organized by the corps 'administrative staff under Director, George Hopkins. The dates for this spectacular weekend will be July 30-August 2.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
YOU WILL NOT WANT TO
MISS ANY OF THESE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENTS!
All are welcome; Cadet Alumni, Plebe Alumni, Instruction and creative staff past and present, administrators past and present, board members past and present, volunteers, parents, friends, and fans past and present, members of the many corps with whom we were honored to share the field of competition,…YOU ARE ALL WELCOME to join hands with us as we proudly celebrate our 75th year.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH
CADETS' PRE-SEASON OPEN HOUSE, CORPS HOUSING SITE

Philadelphia, Pa. area (name and location of site will be announced) Go to www.cadets.org for additional information.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ALUMNI DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION
HEADQUARTERS HOTEL, THE CROWNE PLAZA, RT. 46 EAST, FAIRFIELD, NJ

Information on other area motels/hotels will be provided on request.
Crowne Plaza rates are $119 a night plus applicable taxes. The reservation code when calling to make reservations is "Cadet's 75th Anniversary." The telephone number of The Crowne Plaza in Fairfield is 973-227-9200.

For additional information contact John Avella spechtavella@verizon.net (Shuttle Service information at reasonable rates from Newark Airport available on request. Contact Tony Bartello, 48-58, at arbbeb@comcast.net

SATURDAY, MAY 23
MEET AND GREET COCKTAIL PARTY, 6PM – 10 PM, THE CROWNE PLAZA.

Cash bar and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. No charge for admission. For additional information contact Greg Pych gpych@optonline.net

A MEMORABILIA AND VIDEO EXPOSITION WILL BE A FEATURED PART OF THE MEET & GREET COCKTAIL PARTY.
Dedicated areas will be provided for memorabilia from the Holy Name years, The Garfield Cadet years, the Cadets of Bergen County years, The Cadets years, and the 40 years of women in the Cadets.

For additional information contact Tony Bartello, arbbeb@comcast.net, or Ken Shedosky, 57-61, at kshedosky76@embarqmail.com

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 10:30 AM
MEMORIAL MASS TO HONOR ALL DECEASED CADETS AT THE CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY NAME,

Marsellus Place, Garfield. For additional information contact George King, 54-61, at Gefreki@aol.com

Shuttle service arranged by The Crowne Plaza at a nominal charge will be available to the Church, and following Mass, directly to the banquet, and returning to The Crowne Plaza after the banquet. Information on the shuttle service and the person to contact is pending.

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 12:00 NOON – 4:OO PM
75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, WESTMONT COUNTRY CLUB,
WEST PATERSON, NJ & 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND SALUTE TO WOMEN IN THE CADETS


Dress: Jackets & ties for men, cocktail dresses for women.

Full event open bar, with all premium wines and liquors. Mixed drinks, outdoor tropical bar with frozen drinks. Cold canapes followed by deluxe hot hors d'oeuvres passed by white glove butlers.

The anniversary gala banquet will include a pasta station, a carving station, a hot mixed grille station, a seafood station, a sauté station, an asian station with sushi included, a Tuscan table, a tableside Tuscan trolley and an international cheese cart.

A lavish assortment of dessert stations will follow.

Coffee, tea cart with specialty teas

International coffee station with cordials & cognac

Tickets $125 pp plus $25 pp donation to The Cadets . For additional information contact John Avella at spechtavella@verizon.net

For additional information on the 49th Anniversary Salute to Women in the Cadets contact Cindi Carroza Devivo at cynthia.devivo@citigroup.com, or Margee Estelle Gearhart at mgearhart@sbhcs.com.

THE WEBSITE TO BE USED FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS ON THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FUNCTIONS IS:
CADETS75GALA@YAHOO.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 24,
EVENING WITH THE CADETS CONCERT AND RECEPTION


Announcement of North Jersey location pending. Reception 5:30 PM, Concert 7:30 PM

The Committee will attempt to arrange shuttle service at a nominal charge (if necessary) to the concert site with return to The Crowne Plaza. Information on the shuttle service and the person to contact is pending.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST UNIFORMED APPEARANCE OF OUR 2009 HOLY NAME CADETS For additional information and ticket purchase for the reception contact caryn@yea.org. The Cadets have announced that there will be no charge for admission to the concert.

MONDAY, MAY 25, 1:30 PM,
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, HAWTHORNE, NJ (final confirmation pending
)

Featuring our 2009 Holy Name Cadets. A reception will follow, hosting our 2009 Cadets with pizza and beverages. Alumni are welcome to participate and meet our 2009 marching Cadets personally. We hope to once again distribute one-of-a-kind baseball caps to all the Cadets as a memento of their Holy Name marching experience, and to express the continuing support of our alumni to our marching Cadets. ANYONE WISHING TO DONATE TO THE CAPS FOR CADETS FUND CAN SEND THEIR CHECKS, MADE OUT TO THE GARFIELD CADETS ALUMNI, TO DAVE SHAW, 10-01 HOPPER AVENUE, FAIR LAWN, NJ, 07410. For additional information contact dshaw40@gmail.com

It is presently anticipated that our Alumni Corps will also participate in this parade. Alumni in attendance are also invited to march as a group behind the Alumni Corps' flatbed. If you are interested in being a part of that contingent contact George King at Gfrecki@aol.com to register.

Tickets for all the preceding alumni-sponsored Memorial Day Weekend 75th Anniversary events may be paid by check or credit cards. Checks should be made out to "Cadets 75th Anniversary Gala," and mailed to PO Box 56, Garfield, NJ 07026. Be sure to include your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, years marched (if applicable) , and spouse's name (if applicable), with your check. Information on credit card payment will be available shortly. IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU RESERVE YOUR SPOT WITH FULL PAYMENT BY MARCH 31, 2009, TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE NOT LEFT OUT!!!

THE CADETS SUMMER DIAMOND BASH
FRIDAY, JULY 31, DCI EAST, ALLENTOWN, PA
Pre-contest social at the Allentown Brew Works. The social is free and the perfect way to kick off the evening of exciting drum corps leading into DCI Championship Week in Indianapolis. You may purchase tickets to DCI East in Allentown and the DCI Championships in Indianapolis through www.yea.org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 3-9 PM
THE MONTCLAIR STATE CONFERENCE CENTER
AND MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTCLAIR, NJ


Just miles from the Cadet's birthplace of Garfield, NJ, our corps is celebrating the amazing 75 year journey of the legendary Maroon and Gold. You are invited to join seven decades of alumni and supporters during a Saturday afternoon reception at the stunning Montclair State University Conference Center.

•   The largest historical exhibit ever gathered under one roof: Holy Name,
    Garfield Cadets, Cadets of Bergen County, The Cadets
•   Induction of the 2009 Class of the Cadets Hall of Fame
•   Photos, film footage and a glimpse back in time
•   Honors to all past drum majors and directors
•   Honors to the oldest and youngest attending members
•   Meet and talk with the members and staff of the 2009 Cadets
•   Special ensemble performance by the 2009 Cadets
•   Silent auction to benefit the corps
•   Heavy appetizers, music and cash bar

Following the reception you are invited to take the short walk or one of the courtesy shuttles to Montclair State University's Memorial Auditorium where the 2009 Holy Name Cadets will stir your heart with music that made corps' history from the 1930s to present.

Tickets pp: $89
Early bird available Feb. 1: $79
Kids 12 and under: free
Rooms have been blocked at two nearby hotels for your convenience. For information and ticket reservations contact www.yea.org, or call 610-821-1451

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
CLIFTON STADIUM, CLIFTON, NJ

4-6:30 PM: Tent Party outside the stadium. There is no admission charge for the Tent Party
7:00 PM: MUSIC IN MOTION DRUM CORPS COMPETITION
Show ticket information coming soon. For additional information contact www.yea.org or call 610-821-1451

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Live showing of the DCI Quarter-Finals at a theatre near you. Go to www.dci.org for a listing of theatres

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 8:00 AM
Traditional Championship Breakfast at the Cadets' housing site in the Indianapolis area (site to be announced). Alumni and supporters are invited to join The Cadets and Cadet Staff to wish them well, and share in the opening hours of the final day of the 2009 season. No charge.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Annual Corps Banquet. For additional information contact www.yea.org or call 610-821-1451

So what is this 75th reunion really all about? I can only speak for myself of course, but to me it is far more than a summer-long party to celebrate a history and heritage of which we are all very proud. For me it is a gathering of family that like all families over the years has been touched by division and disagreement over many different issues and for many different reasons. We are, after all, seven and a half generations of Cadets, with literally thousands of brothers and sisters. This year, I very much hope, will further strengthen the process of reconnection and rebuilding of trust and mutual respect. Some of us marched under the Holy Name banner, some as Garfield Cadets, some as The Cadets of Bergen County, and some under The Cadets banner. We are not, however, and never have been, anything less than a single seamless corps. We share a continuity of experience and a love for the maroon and gold that has enriched our lives and joined us one to another in a bond that transcends any assumed differences or divisions. We all stand on the shoulders of our heritage Cadets from 1934. Now, 75 years later, look at what we have built. Do not focus on where we differ. Focus instead on the history and heritage and values that we all share. We are Holy Name, and God willing, Holy Name shall always be…

December 5, at our monthly gathering-of-the-maroon, approximately 75 alumni, their wives, and honored guests sang the Holy Name Hymn.




Back to top