Blue Knights

The Blue Knights drum and bugle corps was formed in January of 1963 by the Ironwood American Legion (AL) Post 5 and the VFW Post 1823, primarily as a self-supporting unit.

Attired in their natty uniforms of blue and white, the corps entered the field of competition at the 1964 MI AL state championships under the direction of Robert Suerth, placing 5^th but lost several members the following year which forced them to reorganize and rebuild over the next three seasons, including new directorship under Joseph DeCarlo, remaining active in local and regional events. They also sponsored their first annual “Drums of Hiawatha” competition in 1967.

In 1968, the Blue Knights returned to the competitive scene, participating in a few contests over the season including the Upper Michigan AL convention as well as the AL and VFW state championships over the next three seasons.  In 1971, the corps competed at the World Pageant of Drums “Class C” championships, finishing in 5^th position.

The 1972 season was the most prolific in their history as they competed in the top 2 National championship preliminaries, the VFW, placing 31^st and the first DCI championships, placing 38^th. They also participated in the MI VFW state contest, placing 6^th. Instructional staff over the years included Grant Richards and Jayne Negri on brass, Peter Ademino and Richard Sanuelli on percussion and Allen Goodwin on visual.

During the next two years, the Blue Knights continued competing within Midwestern states, including the MI AL states contest, placing 5^th in 1973 and 6^th in 1974. The corps returned to parade and exhibition activity the next two seasons before competing one last year, participating in the 1977 MI AL state championships.

They disbanded in 1978.

Paul Legault (DCX)