Dear Bob&Jim,

Thanks for the response to the letter I sent out regarding my mom, Ann Grana. There are so many Grana's, it is easy to get confused. Adding to the confusion are the facts that there are multiple Greg Grana's and multiple Marie Grana's (all named after a Grandpa Greg and Aunt Marie of generations past). Let me see if I can shed some light on the matter. There were three Grana families that participated in the Imperials -- each headed by one of three Grana brothers (Frank, the eldest, Greg his brother who was 12 years younger than Frank and Phil who was approximately 16 years younger than Frank). The first Grana family to enter the Imperials was that of the Frank Grana, Sr. Frank, Sr. (my uncle) was married to Caroline and their children (who all participated with the Imperials)are Greg (nickname Buddy), Hank, Frank, Marie and Tom. The second Grana family to participate in the Imperials was the Greg Grana family. This Greg was Frank Sr.'s junior brother by 12 years (and was Buddy Grana's uncle), Ann Grana's husband, and father to Renee and Marie Grana. I, Renee Grana, marched with the cadets from approximately 1962-1966 and with the A Corps from approximately 1967-1970-71. My sister Marie's time in the corps(that's Greg Grana's Marie not Frank Grana's Marie)began around 1965 in the Cadets and lasted into A Corps until approximatley 1973. Our mom, Ann Grana, served as both an Imperial chaperone and a Mother's Club president during the late 60s and early 70s. Additionally, she spent many days of her life working with Auntie Caroline in the alterations of drum corps uniforms. The third Grana family to participate in the Imperials was that of the Phil Grana family. His daughter, Lynn, is a contemporary of my sister Marie's and Lynn marched about the same time that Marie did. I cannot really speak to how many Grana's after my generation participated; I'd really have to defer that to one of my cousins. I could expand upon the other family members (from my mom's side) who marched, but that would only confuse matters. I sure hope that unties the Gordian knot a little. Please know that my dates may be a little bit off, and I'll gladly defer to any corrections by my cousins. Best wishes, Renee Grana Knutson

What did you do in the Corps? Flag Bearer in the Color Guard

What years were you a Corps member? 1962-1966 in the Cadets; 1967-1970-71 in the A Corps

Gosh, Renee .. what a story, and what a family!
Talk about an Imperial- focused family! Thanks for the info.

But.. too many Gregs, Maries and Franks! We get confused.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

Renee,

Thank you for the clarification (ignore Dave - he can barely remember his own name). I would love to get in touch with Buddy's family after all these years. If you know how to contact any of them, please email me at my address above.

Thank you!

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

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