Castlemen

The Castlemen drum & bugle corps was founded on October 24^th, 1962, in Conklin. It was originally sponsored by the Conklin American Legion Post 1845 and the corps was given the name because of the building used by the Post resembling a castle.

The group marched in its first parade on May 30^th, 1963, and traveled to many towns and villages, representing the Conklin community including, the Firemen's Field Day parades and Memorial Day parades in Binghamton, Veteran's Day parades as well as numerous other events throughout Broome County. In 1964, the corps performed at the New York State pavilion at the World’s Fair in New York city.

In 1965, the Castlemen became a competitive field corps under the sponsorship of the American Legion Posts 1845 of Conklin and 1645 of Binghamton. In their sophomore year, the corps competed as members of the NY Penn Association and by 1967, the Castlemen competed at the NY State championships, placing 12^th in the prelims and made their one and only appearance at a national championship, finishing 45^th in the prelims of the 1967 American Legion Nationals.

The following season saw the corps enter the “Class B” World Open championships, where they placed 6^th and ended the year with a 2^nd place finish at the Penn-York “Class A” championships. In 1969, the Conklin unit traveled to Canada, competing at the “A Jr. C” championships, placing 7^th and returned to both the World Open “Class B” and Penn-York “Class A” finals, finishing 5th. The following year, the corps participated once again at the 1970 World Open “Class B” prelims, placing 7^th and concluded the season with an 11^th place finish at the Penn-York finals.

Among other highlights, the corps marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. and performed on the White House lawn for the President, John F. Kennedy, and the First Family. They also played for Robert F. Kennedy when he came to Johnson City for a conference and a concert in Yankee Stadium for a Yankee's baseball game. Back in the day, a record set by one of the members for number of revolutions by a rifle thrown into the air during field competition of 23 revolutions before being caught, held by the late Jeff Alexandar of Binghamton.

Over the years, the corps’ management included James C. McLean, Paul V. Grogan, Charles M. Lombardo, Louis L. Leombrone, Otto Pearson, John W. Arnold, Frank P. Varano, Leonard Wright and Tony Martin, Sr., Robert Natale, Burton Raught and Anthony S. Ruffo. The instructional staff consisted of Doris Livingston, musical director, James Warfle on visual, Elvin Hubbard and Kirk McLean on percussion. The Castlemen Parents Association was also formed as support to the organization.

In 1971, most of its members reached college and service age and consequently went inactive for that season. The following year, a dedicated group of parents got together to reorganize the corps, and they were once again reactivated as a parade and exhibition unit in 1972. They were crowned the 1973 6^th District American Legion parade champions as they continued their progression, capping off their drum corps legacy as 1976 Penn-York “Standstill” champions.

They disbanded in 1977 and reorganized as the Renegades of Binghamton.

DCW, 12/88, p.2; Paul Legault (DCX)