On Jan. 26, the Morgantown American Legion Post 537 legionnaires presented Dan Wildonger, assistant director of the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps with a donation of $1,000.
In 2014, Post 537 entered into a sponsorship arrangement with the Reading Buccaneers drum corps. The sponsorship encompasses logistical and vehicular support for the corps and further deepens the corps’ ties to the Morgantown and Elverson area. Twin Valley School District has been a key partner to the Buccaneers since 2004. “The generosity of the Post has a real and direct impact on the Buccaneers, saving us considerable wear and tear and fuel costs on our vehicles. The Buccaneers’ proud association with the American Legion dates back to our founding in 1957. We support the American Legion’s work and encourage all former members of the military to become members of the post.”
Founded in 1957, the mission of the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is to provide men and women of all ages a unique and enriching educational experience in the performing arts in which they develop as individuals and as performers. The Buccaneers were founding members of Drum Corps Associates and won the first-ever DCA World Championships in 1965 and won twelve additional titles since. For more information visit www.readingbuccaneers.org.
Drum and bugle corps are musical ensembles that descended from military bugle and drum units returning from World War I and succeeding wars. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion organizations formed drum and bugle corps from civilians and military veterans after bugle signaling units became obsolete. The drum corps performed at community events and local celebrations. Over time, rivalries between corps emerged and the competitive drum and bugle corps circuit evolved.
The Reading Buccaneers was organized in 1957 by the Greater Reading, Pennsylvania VFW Post #179. The Ephrata American Legion loaned them the instruments to get started. The corps began as a parade corps that was comprised of adults who aged-out of various local junior drum corps and military veterans of WWII and Korea.
The corps soon embarked upon field competitions in the 1958 season. At that time they were sponsored by the Bernville American Legion. The Buccaneers rose to the top quickly, winning three consecutive VFW Championships in 1960, 1961, and 1962. When Drum Corps Associates (DCA) was formed, the Bucs continued their success, becoming the first DCA Champions in 1965. Since that time, the Buccaneers have won the DCA title 13 more times to become the most decorated drum & bugle corps in DCA history.
Roger Jacobs, Commander of American Legion Post 537 stated he is proud to sponsor such a decorated drum corps and looks forward to the upcoming season.
