Continentals

The Continentals drum and bugle corps was originally formed in 1961 as the Twin Lites Lancers of Belford parade corps. In August of 1966, under the direction of Walter Roseman and Harold “Bud” Copeland, the corps reorganized as the Middletown Continental Lancers parade corps, sponsored by the Matawan American Legion (AL) Post 176.

In 1969, under their new name the Continentals and red and white uniforms, they were crowned the AL State parade champions and in March of 1971, the group moved to West Keansburg under the new sponsorship of the West Keansburg Fire Department no. 1. Their instructional staff included Walter Schember Jr. on brass; George Sullivan on percussion and John J. Collum on visual and guard. 

The corps entered the field of competition in 1972 as members of the new Pathfinder circuit, placing 7^th in the championships and participated in the World Open “Class B” championships from 1972 to 1975; 24^th in 1972/1973, 20^th in 1974 and 18^th in 1975. They also competed in the NJ AL state championships, finishing 15^th in 1973 and 10^th in 1974. The West Keansburg
unit joined the Garden State Circuit in 1975, where they placed in 7^th
position and entered the DCI “Class A” preliminaries, placing 18^th.

The corps remained active for the next two seasons before disbanding in 1978.

From the New Jersey Calling article by Fred H. Thiedeitz in the April 1970 issue of Drum Corps Digest; Paul Legault (DCX).