Amvet Lancers

The Amvet Lancers drum & bugle corps was founded on November 19^th, 1963, as a feeder corps to the Amvet Brigadiers under the direction of Bill Arey. They competed as a Class “C” corps in both the Eastern MA and Mayflower circuits. 

A group of some 85 kids were determined to work their way up the drum corps line to be ranked among the best.  The corps and their management worked hard together in their first year during the 6 months they had until their first competition. They went out to only 4 competitions during their first season until they felt they were ready to tackle the more established “Class C” corps.

The Amvet group continued improving as they competed within the Mayflower circuit in 1965 through 1967, and in 1968, several members of the corps graduated to the Brigadiers but they managed to field in a rebuilding year. Pitted against formidable competition throughout the summer, the Randolph crew topped off their season as the Eastern MA circuit champions. This was quite a feat considering this was their first year of competition in the circuit.

In 1970, the Lancers were unable to defend their title with a 4^th place finish at Eastern MA “Class C” championships and went on the inactive list the following year to regroup. Over the next three seasons, the corps returned to its roots in the Mayflower “Class C” division, finishing out of the “Top 3” but showed steady improvement. The Amvet Lancers competed at both the 1975 “Class C” Mayflower and Eastern MA circuit championships, placing 2^nd in the latter.

In 1976, the Lancers made a positive showing in “Class C” in both the Mayflower (4^th) and Eastern MA (5^th) circuits. Out of 18 competitions that year, the Lancers placed first in five competitions, second in another four and third in an additional three. 

Their season ended with some disappointments and although they did not fare as well as expected in the championships, they laid the ground work for a takeover in dominance in their class the following year. 1977 brought about an almost flawless season, placing first in 15 out of 16 competitions and second only once.  They swept “Class C” in the Mayflower circuit and placed second once in the Eastern MA circuit to the dreaded Crusaders of Wilmington; the darkest day of the season. 

That second place finish only fueled a drive and a winning streak to and through the championships.  No other “Class C” came within range in the Mayflower and Eastern MA championships, as they were crowned champions of both circuits. They also produced some of the highest scores “Class C” had ever recorded.

The accomplishments of the previous season spurred the corps on to even greater success in 1978, as the Amvet Lancers moved up a class in both circuits. At the Mayflower championships, not only did they compete in the “Class B” but won the title outright and finished a respectable 5^th position in the “Class A2” division of the Eastern MA championships. This would prove to be the corps most successful year in their long celebrated history. 

Over the last three years, the Lancers participated at both the CYO “Junior Class” and Eastern MA “Class C” circuit championships, placing 2^nd (CYO) and 4^th (E-Mass) in 1979, 4th (CYO) and 4^th (E-Mass) in 1980 and 4^th (CYO) and 7th (E-Mass) in 1981.

The Amvet Lancers youth program grew into a highly flourishing feeder unit over the years and with a very supportive Amvets organization leading the way.

CORPS 1 items

Amvet Lancers

Amvet Lancers Patch Contributed by Robert Roy

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