OSWEGO, IL - Members of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Air Force (USAF) will join the Chicago Royal Airs Drum & Bugle Corps in a flag presentation ceremony honoring the memory of the late Colonel Truman W. Crawford - a musical pioneer often referred to as the "John Philip Sousa of drum & bugle corps." Crawford passed away on March 3, 2003 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The local ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 9:30 am at Bednarcik Junior High School, 10250 Heggs Road (corner of Eola and route 95), in Oswego, IL.
Among his many, many achievements, Colonel Truman Crawford served as musical director of three of America's greatest drum and bugle corps - the Chicago Royal Airs, the USMC's "Commandant's Own," and the USAF's Drum & Bugle Corps. "The Colonel" revolutionized drum & bugle corps music by introducing his own spirited, jazz-based arrangements that literally broke (and buried
forever!) the mold of the traditional "marching band-style" music that characterized drum corps in the 1950s. During the ceremony, members of the USMC, led by 1st Sgt. Campbell, will present both the USMC and USAF flags to those members of the Chicago Royal Airs who served in either military branch. These veterans will, in turn, present the flags to the color guard of the Chicago Royal Airs, who will carry them proudly as a permanent memorial to their former musical director/arranger and beloved friend and mentor. Remarks will be made by 1st Sgt. Campbell, and the Chicago Royal Airs will play "Taps" and "Abide with Me." This flag presentation was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jack Kotter on behalf of the Chicago Royal Airs. All active and former members of the USMC and USAF, as well as past and present members of any drum & bugle corps, are invited to attend this fitting memorial for "one of their own." The Chicago Royal Airs Drum & Bugle Corps has dedicated its 2003 season to Colonel Truman Crawford. The above press release was written by Colleen Devitt Karuza. All media inquiries, however, should be directed to Carm Logalbo. For Information, Contact:
Carm Logalbo (VP, Chicago Royal Airs)
Phone: 815-933-7881
Email: carm@mbspc.com
Among his many, many achievements, Colonel Truman Crawford served as musical director of three of America's greatest drum and bugle corps - the Chicago Royal Airs, the USMC's "Commandant's Own," and the USAF's Drum & Bugle Corps. "The Colonel" revolutionized drum & bugle corps music by introducing his own spirited, jazz-based arrangements that literally broke (and buried
forever!) the mold of the traditional "marching band-style" music that characterized drum corps in the 1950s. During the ceremony, members of the USMC, led by 1st Sgt. Campbell, will present both the USMC and USAF flags to those members of the Chicago Royal Airs who served in either military branch. These veterans will, in turn, present the flags to the color guard of the Chicago Royal Airs, who will carry them proudly as a permanent memorial to their former musical director/arranger and beloved friend and mentor. Remarks will be made by 1st Sgt. Campbell, and the Chicago Royal Airs will play "Taps" and "Abide with Me." This flag presentation was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Jack Kotter on behalf of the Chicago Royal Airs. All active and former members of the USMC and USAF, as well as past and present members of any drum & bugle corps, are invited to attend this fitting memorial for "one of their own." The Chicago Royal Airs Drum & Bugle Corps has dedicated its 2003 season to Colonel Truman Crawford. The above press release was written by Colleen Devitt Karuza. All media inquiries, however, should be directed to Carm Logalbo. For Information, Contact:
Carm Logalbo (VP, Chicago Royal Airs)
Phone: 815-933-7881
Email: carm@mbspc.com