Wow. VFW State was early in the year (June?) and was always the first state championship. We always hoped that we were ready for this.

I remember that 1958 was a year that we thought we could move up. But NERVES hurt.

1962 was a great year .. but we managed to get hit by a rainstorm when appearing for the first time in our new uniforms! Bad luck there!

What OTHER VFW State memories are out there?

Sadly, VFW and Legion State don't exist anymore.

What did you do in the Corps? drummer

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

During most of my years, VFW State (and Legion, for that matter) was held at Elk Grove High School. Prelims were on a field next to the actual stadium; always started with inspection; and we did prelim drills (shorter than the usual show for those of you who never marched one). At least one year it rained during prelims, moving everything inside (which helped the marching scores!). There was usually a big crowd for those shows, and both the Imperials and the Cadets would compete (Cadets were in what was called Class C at the time for feeder units).

But in 1973, VFW was in Peoria, and we stayed in a hotel. Anybody else remember the destruction of a couple of rooms, management's threat to sit out the offenders, and the corps' revolt? It was all downhill from there.

What did you do in the Corps? Snare, Drum Major, Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79