2013
43rd Historic Bristol Day… Take Note #3
by Cate Murway
“Planning is continuing uninterruptedly for the 2019 Historic Bristol Day to be held on Saturday, October 19th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM, sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation [BCHF], established in 1967,” confirmed BCHF VP/HBD chairperson, Nicholas A. Rizzo.
BCHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving over 3 centuries of Bristol's history and increasing cultural opportunities for all residents of the community, promoting pride which translates into helping and enhancing the treasure that has been inherited.
All ages are always welcome to be a part of this community’s past, present and future! Bristol Borough, beautifully nestled on the Delaware River, was founded in 1681, and it is one of the oldest communities in the state. HBD is a free signature street festival and it is especially great family fun for everyone. HBD ’19 includes plenty to see and do and each event will prove to be a most memorial one.
Director of Bracken Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Alumni Corps, Donald E. “Don” Coles, BHS ’60 hires the instructors, runs the organization and is personally vested in recruiting new members. He has confirmed that their next performance will be on HBD on the Lions Park Gazebo from 11:30AM-12:30PM.
This is their 95th year!
The name Bracken is a memorial to a BHS grad, 26-year-old Private Robert W. Bracken, a member of Company “C”, 15th Machine Gun Battalion. Pvt. Bracken was the first Bristol WWI casualty, killed in the Battle of Saint Mihiel, France in 1918. The Bracken Cavaliers, the "First Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps in the U.S.A" was formed under the leadership of Monroe Street resident, Harry Burbank in 1924. They were PA Champions in 1932- 1935.
The Cavaliers will provide some greatly appreciated manpower early in September, setting up HBD signs.
Don Coles was a football and baseball athlete at Bristol High School. It had been his responsibility then to just walk his younger siblings to practice until he was asked to come join the Bracken Cavaliers in 1958. His brother, David J., BHS ‘62 played soprano bugle and his late sister, Ruthann marched with the color guard. Their father Ellis was a Bristol Borough postman and their mother Dorothy worked at the National Tea Packing Company that was located in the Grundy Mill building.
The Bracken Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Alumni Corps has been warming up and is apparently marching on quite successfully as Bracken Beats It AGAIN. The teaching staff prepared them well: Percussion- Bruno Ciaralli and Business Manager, Albert D. Adamson; Brass- Dave Farren and Effie Deal, worked under the guidance of the music arranger, Dr. Chuck Smith. Ed Jakubowicz serves on the Executive Board as the President, Phil Bigelow as the VP, along with Diane McDevitt, Secretary and Tony Arena, Treasurer.
They are determined to bring Drum and Bugle Corps performances back in a way that you have not seen, felt, or witnessed in quite some time. The music defined post World War II America. The music was patriotic, loyal to America and very loud!
From 1924-1974, the Bracken Cavaliers Junior Drum & Bugle Corps included those up to the age of 21. The now all age Alumni Corps members range from 11years old to 91year old Levittown resident, Navy veteran RDM3 William Gerald “Jerry” Yorty, BHS ‘45 who played the bugle and marched in 1936, at the age of only 9 until the age of 16. “My father, John Harry Yorty came home one day and told me to go meet with the Drum & Bugle Corps guys.” He recalls losing his grandfather, Harry Yorty who delivered whiskey to NJ when he died from exposure after falling from his boat into the icy Delaware River.
Mid-August, BCHF Board of Directors member, Helen M. Younglove shared, “My brother Art called this morning from AZ to tell me that Bracken captured 2nd place yesterday in the “Battle of the Boroughs NYC” contest. This was the first time that Bracken competed since 1974. It was quite a coup for them! They’ve recently recruited several younger members for the horn section.”
Art, the group’s chief recruiter, confirmed “This was a morale booster for the Corps!”
The First Annual James A. Lathen Sr. "Battle In The Boroughs" Senior, Alumni, All Age Drum & Bugle Corps Championship, held on Saturday, August 17th in the Kennedy Center, was hosted by Warriors Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps -NYC and New York City Warriors New All Age Mini Drum Bugle Corp.
Arthur John Younglove continues his quest to “drum” up new members and several new recruits in the integral horn line hail from the Harry S. Truman High School band.
This is a great opportunity for a new generation to experience the glory days of drum and bugle corps and each and every one is invited to join this legacy! Practice is held at BCHF, 321 Cedar Street from 7:00-9:00PM [1st & 3rd Thursdays]. No experience necessary and instruction is FREE. There is also No Charge to use instruments and uniforms.
Bristol’s own Bracken Cavaliers, a marching and maneuvering and parade corps was at one time known as the Musical Ambassadors of Bristol traveling throughout the NE competing against other nationally known drum corps. During the late1930’s and 40’s, when they weren't working, families found time to have fun, with neighbors, friends, relatives and each other and most of the children growing up in that era found ways to have fun just doing "kid things." The musical ensemble consisting of bell-front brass horns, field drums, a color guard, and an honor guard performed in many community events and local celebrations, decked out in their fabulous black, orange and white uniforms and shiny black shoes.
Many of the kids from Bristol marched and played in Bracken from the 30’s through the 70’s, electrifying the atmosphere with an air of dignity and class that transcended the definition of a drum and bugle corps. The Bracken Cavaliers had the opportunity to perform at the Levittown Shopping Center when presidential hopeful, John F. Kennedy made his public appearance and gave a speech on one of his stops throughout the county.
The first uniforms were West Point jackets with white cross belts. The corps changed to the cavalier style from 1949 to 1950. They traded that for a satin shirt and then to all black with orange bibs. Today, the corps wears black uniforms and an orange sash with an Aussie hat.
When the Cavaliers participate in the Bristol Borough and the Yardley Borough Christmas Parades, Rob's Automotive, Collision & Towing donates and drives a flat-bed trailer to carry the seasoned players.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Henry David Thoreau
Members of the Drum & Bugle Alumni Corps still love to eat! Art mailed out 270 invitations.
Friendships are renewed and old times are relived as the Cavaliers get together once again to reminisce about their times in the Corps.
Their WELCOME pizza party will be held Friday the 18th from 7:00-9:00PM at Cesare’s Italian Ristorante.
All are invited to the luncheon 1:30PM-4:30PM at King George II Inn on Historic Bristol Day. $40.00 reserves a spot at the luncheon. *Please make checks payable to Bracken Cavaliers and mail to Art Younglove, 86 Gable Hill Road, Levittown, PA 19057-3404.
The departing get- together on Sunday the 20th will be held from 11:00AM- 1:00PM at the Golden Eagle.
For additional information, contact Art Younglove, 856.296.3740 / gljonsey@aol.com.
There is lots of rich and storied past in over 300 years. Stayed TUNED and Save the Date!
HBD Saturday 10.19.19.
Welcome Friend to our beautiful historic riverfront town!
Historic Bristol Day 2019 Take Note #3 is the third Note introducing the 43rd Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 19, 2019.
Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation
321 Cedar Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.781.9895
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
1972 World Open competition in Lynn, MA
1960
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