Bellevue sentinels drum bugle corps1973

Answer 1

A BRIEF HISTORY

Late in 1965, Duane Andrews, Steve Mills and Bob Thompson conceived the idea of a CAP (Civil Air Patrol) Squadron Drum and Bugle Corps in Bellevue. Preliminary planning was completed and on January 5, 1966, a public meeting was held at the Puget Power Building to see if there was enough interest to make it possible. The hall was packed and many charter members were signed up at the first meeting.

By the end of 1966, they had decided that affiliation with the CAP and serious drum corps competition was impossible so the group was renamed the "Bellevue Sentinels Drum and Bugle Corps." The Corps had nearly 100 members and had instruments for all. After leaving the CAP, the Sentinels had dressed up the military style uniforms with red dickies and cummerbunds. As new members came in, the Sentinels changed to white shirts, black pants, red dickeys and cummerbunds. The Corps purchased its first bus, "Old Mac," and used Mr. Andrews' cattle truck to haul the equipment.

In 1967, the Sentinels acquired new Spanish style uniforms, mainly through the efforts of Phyllis Plesha and Duane and Ginny Andrews. They sold "Old Mac" and purchased a larger bus and more instruments. They entered competition seriously and took a first place in their first competition at Buckley, WA. The "big event" of the year was a two week trip to Salinas, CA for the Colmo-del-Rodeo parade.

It was decided to form a "feeder corps" and in early 1968, the Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps was born. It consisted of about 80 youth between the ages of 12 and 14. Many Sentinel members had younger siblings in the Guardsmen.

The Sentinels were noted for their outstanding showmanship and musical repertoire. Parade honors in 1969 included first place awards in such major parades as the Wenatchee Apple Blossom, Daffodil, Seattle Grand Seafair and the Portland Rose Festival.

In addition to the local Northwest competitions in 1969, the Sentinels participated in the International "World Open" Competition in Lynn, MA, the Heritage Days Parade in Salem, MA, and the VFW Nationals in Philadelphia, PA