Overage Juniors

Drum Corps News September 12, 1962 issue

Attention, All Jr. Corps Directors
Mrs. Bernert and I have been tagged as crusaders because we stand for what is right and decent.

There are entirely too many adults associated with Junior drum corps who have a total disregard of fair play as far as kids are concerned, by advocating and condoning over-age personnel in their corps. Do you think its fair and sportsmanlike to pit young men 21, 22, 23 and even older against kids 12, 13, and 14 years old to have their brains beat out? What price glory?

It's like a college football team playing a bunch of grammar school kids - or a 23-year old squaring with a 14-year old kid.

Why not change your corps name from junior to senior and pick on corps your own age? Then, if you win you will have real satisfaction rather than taking candy from a baby.

Some Drum Corps writers seem to think it is all right to break the rules a little and we shouldn't make an issue of it. It seems there are too many nowadays who think its O.K. to lie a little, to steal a little and maybe kill a little. Our prisons are overflowing with people who think that.

The time will come when all decent and upright corps directors will refuse to enter contest where your kind of corps is invited.And who will be hurt? Your eligible kids for the sake of some ineligibles.

Why not give your kids a break? Why do you have to use loaded dice to win?

Think back a year or two. How many so-called "Juniors" Uncle Sam got in the 23-year old draft?

Too many directors of Junior Corps have lost sight of the basic reasons for Junior Corps. To mention a few: To occupy the youngsters' time with something worthwhile and keep them out of trouble; To build better citizens for these United States; To instill self-discipline and work with others; To teach them right from wrong.

To what category do you belong? The above - or win by hook or by crook?

Maybe I'm a square.
Joe Bernert
Director of the Bon Bons
Audubon, N.J.