Blue Eagles

The Blue Eagles drum and bugle corps was organized for the first time in 1948 as the Wind Gap American Legion (AL) Post 724.

At that time, equipment was purchased; snare drums cost $25.00 and straight bugles were $10.00.The original uniforms were made of Eisenhower jackets, black pants, with a white belt and a white helmet. These uniforms lasted until the late 50's, when a satin blue and gold blouse with white pants replaced the aging uniforms along with a name change to the Blue Eagles in 1958.

By the early 1960’s, they expanded their program to an exhibition field show. The corps won numerous parade titles including the 1965 and 1966 PA AL state “Class C” parade  championships. By 1969, their membership dwindled during the Vietnam conflict, but cross-town rivals, the Yellow Jackets of Bangor, had the same problem. The two corps combined as the Blazers, but due to struggling management, folded after only one season.

The corps emerged again in 1973, and by 1975, they were the Pennsylvania AL parade champions. In 1978, the Blue Eagles’ membership had swelled to 110 members, entering the field of competition for
the first time in their history, competing at the DCA championships, placing 15^th in the preliminaries and a 6^th place finish in the RCA circuit. The following year, they competed at the 1979 DCA prelims, finishing 14^th. In an effort to rejuvenate the activity in the area, the corps renamed itself the Renaissance, participating at the 1980 DCA championships, placing 14^th once again. By 1981, the curtain fell again on the corps, due to the large debt the corps occurred, along with internal problems.

The Borough of Wind Gap was planning a Centennial Celebration in 1993. Some of the former corps members decided for a one more time alumni corps. Starting with their old corps home, American Legion
Post 724 of Wind Gap, the corps started preparing in September of 1992 for the big event. The corps decided to stay on as an alumni corps, performing at parades and standstills. 1998 brought about a new era. The corps purchased new 3-valve horns and a new equipment trailer was acquired. They continued to perform until 2001.

They disbanded in 2002.

Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 3 items

Blue Eagles

Wind Gap Blue Eagles from the Bill Ives Collection Contributed by Bill Ives

Blue Eagles

BlueEagles,WindGap,PA,Patch1-Gold&Purple(RPE)AA_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Robert Pero

Blue Eagles

BlueEagles,WindGap,PA,Patch2-1995-Champs(eBay)AA_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by UNKNOWN

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