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1988 Dutch Boy Drum & Bugle Corps
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Open letter to Dutch Boy from Randy Montgomery August 1988
TOUR 1988 - ONE WEEK TO NATIONALS
I personally believe that the corps is capable of pushing its
way to tenth position at D.C.I. In a way it's a relief it's almost
over, but it is hard to believe that no matter how well the corps
may do in the future, the feelings of the corps right now will never
be duplicated. With each age-out, each member which chooses not to
return, or staff member that does not return, something unique is
lost; for without the EXACT people involved, without the troubles
and the joys, it would seem the prize we all searched for this season
would be out of reach.
The corps finally seems to be locking in on that prize - NOT
just making finals, but doing it TOGETHER. It's kind of funny how
one show, one score, one placement is enough to make all the troubles
and disasters, just disappear. We all are on the threshold of emotions
which will probably never be felt again. This is what the game is
really about. Knowing that the contribution you made, maybe, just
maybe, was required for the organisation to reach its prize. From
the members down to those who may have never even seen the corps
perform, without each one of us, could it be that our goals may not
be achieved?
I will end this season extremely proud of each individual, from
Al down to those people who sacrificed their free time to work BINGO,
chaparone, sew, cook and drive.
But ultimately, it's the members - those kids who gave up their
summer to travel all night, sleep on gym floors, rehearse 12 or so
hours a day, put up with a lifestyle most other kids would never be
able to handle - THESE kids make it all worthwhile - You are worth
all the turmoil it took to get this far.
These Dutch Boy members - Canadians, French Canadians, Americans,
and English members alike - get their satisfaction from the crowd,
the audience that cheers their show, the audience that boos' the
placements, the staff who say " It was a good show", and from each
other, knowing it took EVERYONE to get this far.
It is astonishing how a diversified group of young people can
work so hard to achieve a brief moment in a champions' spotlight.
Afterwards it's the memories we all as the 'family' remember.
Thank you all for being yourselves and giving us ALL something
to remember for years to come.
You are true champions!
- Randy Montgomery
