Guardsmen

The Guardsmen drum and bugle corps started in 1967 as a result of the split-up of the Opti-Cadets of Flint, under the leadership of former director Russ Jones and his brother Rudy and sponsorship of the Flint VFW Post 822 & Grand Blanc American Legion (AL) Post 413.

In their inaugural season, the corps performed in competitive parades and exhibitions, entering the field of state competition in 1968, placing 7^th in the 1969 Legion contest. The Flint unit maintained its progression over the 1970 season and enjoyed success with a 2^nd place finish in the 1971 Michigan VFW state championship & placed 5^th in the US Open “Class A” finals. They followed up the next year with preliminary rankings of 10^th in the 1972 US Open “Class A” & 31^st in the AL Nationals, along with winning the Michigan Legion state & Great Lakes circuit “Class A” titles.

The Guardsmen went inactive in 1973 but re-emerged the following season, placing 4^th & 8^th in the 1974 VFW and Legion state conventions respectively. The corps was crowned the 1975 Great Lakes “Class A” champions, with 4^th & 5^th rankings in the VFW & AL state contests, closing out their competitive status with a 4^th place in the Great Lakes & 5^th in the Legion convention.

In 1977, they merged with a local parade unit, the Scarlet Troubadors, to form the Troubador Guardsmen as the color guard remained competitively active until 1983.

Grover Clark Guardsmen member 1972, GrewvyG2@aol.com; April 2010; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (15)