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Bethpage Colonials (Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps)

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Bethpage Tribune article of Sept. 13-19, 2002 by Frank Grossmann

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Butehorn Brothers V.F.W. Post 4987 of Bethpage formed a Fife Drum and Bugle Corps, consisting of young children playing marching music, at some time this went out of existence in the Post. They went on to become "The Bethpage Colonials" in 1958. As a parent sponsored group, they appointed Mr. Frank Grossmann of Bethpage the director, and along with many of the parents the corps flourished and carried the name Bethpage to many places in the United States, they also made a trip to Ireland for the St. Patricks Day Parade in Dublin.

The children 8 years and up continued to learn music playing Fifes and Drums, those that did not want to play an instrument, joined a Color Guard which was formed along with a Drum Major. They were taught by qualified instructors, some belonged to the Minute Men Fife and Drum Corps of Long Island, several of their children were in the corps.

Colonial ancient fife and drum corps originated in the early period of our history. The marching cadence was 110 (the same as the bagpipe bands of today, also The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps of US Army), this enabled our foot soldiers to march many miles, also many tunes were played on the fifes which provided them rhythm to march to. Such as Rally Around the Flag, Road to Boston, Yankee Doodle, the songs and tunes went into the hundreds all with the Ancient beat. Instruments were wood fifes and rope tension drums, color guards, flag bearers, muskets all were used then and still with the corps now.

Achievements and Appearances Made a recording for the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation. Buddy Ebsen narrated a story about the Freedom Fighters. The Colonials provided the background music as he quoted the Bill of Rights as it ended the corps played the Star Spangled Banner. Upon the screen appeared our logo with the name Bethpage. This was distributed through the country. Many of the members continued in the music world, doctors, nurses, policemen, served in the Military. Some married within the corps, and their children are in the corps.

Led the famous Gasperilla Pirate Parade in Tampa, Florida in the year 1966.

Appeared four times in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. Once put a show at Macy's which was on national television.

Featured at the New York World's Fair 1964-1965 at Continental Insurance Pavilion provided weekend appearances plus music played by recordings during the weekdays.

Played for the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Plaza Hotel in New York twice.

Frank Grossmann received Citizenship Award on behalf of the corps from The Sons of the American Revolution.

Political rally for President Ford and President Nixon.

Played Star Spangled Banner at opening football game at Shea Stadium for the New England Patriots and Giants game.

Played at a Muster of many Colonial Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Host corps was the U.S. Army. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Third United Stants Infantry (Pershings own). Later four of the Bethpage Colonials joined this famous Corps, Tom Grossmann, Thor Abrahamson, Tom Shea, Gus Baabe. time. (Note: Musters are meetings of many Ancient fife and drum corps. When they get together they play the same tunes all using the proper rudiments and the same type fifes).

Marched in Many Bethpage Parades

At Ancient fife and drum competitions were awarded first place in individual and full corps playing. The corps at one time could field 3 corps, a senior, a junior, and a novice corps. At some time there were near 100 members plus members in corps, all being taught to be patriotic, respectful, and a great American.

The Bethpage Colonials members went from children to adults and were all a credit to this town. I will list a few family names: Steubing, Grossmann, Kunzig, Shea, Christie, Cornwell, Gabbola, Lakis, Curly, Flynn, Essex, Holzhauer, Ringwald, Weisgerber, Culkin, Urhan, Zampino, Gish, McKay, Fogarty, Lewis, Troendle, Chalmers, Kruszewski, Cloonan, Budd, Paschke, Connoly, Degnal, Musgrave, Warnken.

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