Taps

2011 Frank Alton. Frank was a  charter member and passed away in March of 2011.

2010 - Wayne Gleason. Wayne was a charter member of our Corps, and former post commander and he was a strong yanks supporter.

2010 - George Carroll longtime member and former manager. George was honored by the Corps just before he passed away in the spring of 2010. George played the soprano bugle, was a quiet but dedicated supporter of the Corps. 

George marching in 1980, his father-in-law Zim bush was the asst director at the time is on the left.

2009 - Harold Lalone  - Harold played with the old Carthage corps then Yanks, he played and taught cymbals and was a longtime color guard captain, honorary lifetime member and dedicated supporter of the Corps 

  Harold is on the left front of this picture, his brother Don is on the right.

January 29, 2008 - The Yanks would like to play taps for another charter member - Don Lalone. Don was our first director, and one of the founders of the Original Yanks. Without his tenacity, vision and heart we wouldn't exist today. We had the privilege of having Don direct our corps during the 50th anniversary. Don passed away on 1/23/08 in Baltimore. His obituary is here. Don - we will miss your smile and you will always have a place in our hearts and minds. Information for the donations in his memory is listed in the obituary.

February 23, 2006 - We are sad to say that another long time Corps member has passed on. Jimmy Monroe passed away today after struggling for several years with heart problems. Jimmy was the Grandfather of our Corps and was active right up to his last day. He played at our last concert on 2/22/06 at the Watertown Rotary with true Jimmy style and finesse. He was an inspiration to many - and was a mentor to all of us horn players that strived to be like him. With close to 40 years in the Corps Jimmy was the perennial "Hank the Yank".

Jimmy - The Yanks Salute you.   

January 2005

We are sorry to report that two more of our Charter Members have passed on.

William C. Sanders - a Soprano Bugler and Charter member passed away in January 2005

P. Alan Feickert -  Founding Member, Baritone Bugler, a member of the Board of Directors, and a key member to get Post 916 Sponsorship. According to his nephew Ken Bresett - "Alan did a lot of work on early financing and contributions and getting our local jeweler - Mr. Elmer Burtis to acquire our original "Hark" bugles at cost. Alan was also one of the key members to come up with the Yanks distinctive civil war uniform after the Corps was disqualified at the August 1957 Gouverneur St. Lawrence County fair because the judging officials thought the Corps was a professional band with our Khakis uniforms and that we must be from Camp Drum". Alan was also a member of the Antwerp Masonic Lodge, Antwerp and Deferiet Fire Departments, Elks Lodge, American Legion and St. John's Episcopal Church in Black River.

Alan and William - The Yanks Salute you.

May 24th 2004 - A tragic day and loss for the Drum Corps and our community. Frank Postorino was taken from us unexpectedly and too soon. A drunk driver runs off the road and takes a dear friend, father, husband, son and brother. We mourn his loss and send our sincere condolences to his family. Frank was a gentle giant, beloved friend and Corps manager. The Corps family is heart broken and stunned by his sudden death.

We will never forget you, and you will always have a place in our hearts and minds. Your music and memory will not die. The world is not a better place now that you are gone, and we hope that your passing will not be without meaning. Your legacy of serving your community, family and friends will live for many, many years to come. 

Frank, you were taken from this world too soon, but we are all better people for having known you and lived and worked with you. You set the example of what it meant to be a father, husband and community leader. Hopefully, we can all strive to fill your shoes. God speed, Frank, you will not be forgotten.

The Yanks - May 28th, 2004.

With the Original Yanks entering its 48th year, it is inevitable that some of our older members and alumni will pass on.

Recently we lost two of our Charter members - Zim Bush, and Nile Liscomb. Zim passed away on April 17th, 2002, and Nile a few days later. Both Zim and Nile were pivotal organizers of the Drum Corps back in 1956.

"When they held a parade in Carthage 25 years ago, nine members of the village's volunteer fire department came to march. They had a good time at the parade, but something was missing. Oh, they could high step all right: you know - left, right, left right - but somehow they felt they could do better. If only they had someone who could keep the beat going; if only there was a little sound to raise the eyebrows of the crowds as they marched. If only they had some music.

"We enjoyed the parade," recalled Nile Liscomb. "But we felt it would be nice if we could form some kind of drum and bugle corps." The firemen took their idea to Antwerp's American Legion Post 916, of which they were all members. "We stayed 'til midnight discussing it," said Mr. Liscomb. "It was the longest meeting we ever had."

When the legionnaires walked out of the lodge that night, they had committed themselves to a brand new drum and bugle corps. What they probably didn't realize was they had also witnessed the birth of what was to become one of the north country's proudest institutions: The Original Yanks."

                        - From the Watertown Daily Times, July 23, 1981.

Zim and Nile - The Yanks Salute you.

Zim Bush is on the right, his son Greg is in the middle. (1979)

Zim Bush, assistant director on the left, with George Carroll (his son-in-law). (1981)

Charter Members - 1975, left to right

D. Lalone, W. Gleason, N. Liscomb, K. Ridsdale, F. Pitts,

A. Fiekert, J. Buckley, Z. Bush, I. Filiarotrault, N. Liscomb,

F. Alston, C. Bridge, R. Eggleston, P.Peacock