Amvet Brigadiers

The Amvet Brigadiers drum & bugle corps was founded in May 1960 by the Amvets Post 51 of Randolph. Under the direction of Larry Milliken and assistant director Philip Boyle, the corps plans were well underway for what would become a very successful journey in the activity.

Their first appearance was on November 11th, 1961, as a parade corps in the Randolph Veteran’s Day Parade and the Boston Veteran’s Day Parade. In 1962, the Brigadiers entered the field of competition and won the Amvet National championships held in New York City. In the fall of that year, the corps became one of the founding members of the Mayflower circuit. During the course of the Mayflower’s history, Mr. Milliken would become president for two terms and chief coordinator of the circuit for several years.

They competed at the first annual Mayflower championships, placing 3^rd in the “Class B” division and were crowned the Mayflower State circuit “Class II” champions that same year. The Amvet crew finished in 2^nd position at the 1964 Mayflower “Class B” championships and the following season, under sponsorship by the Randolph Industries Commission, appeared in exhibition at the New York’s World Fair. That year, they didn’t qualify as a “Top 3” finalist in the Mayflower “Class B” division.

The next two seasons saw the corps earn 7^th place (1966) and 6^th place (1967) finishes in the Mayflower “Class B” circuit and in 1968, the Brigadiers placed 2nd at the World Open “Class B” championships, finished 3^rd at the Eastern MA circuit “A2” finals and capped off the year as the Mayflower State circuit “Class B” champions. The following season, the corps was in a rebuilding year but did maintain their competitive status in the Mayflower circuit.

In 1970, the corps continued its progress, returning to the World Open “Class B” championships, placing 11^th and the Eastern MA circuit “A2” division, placing 5^th. Success could best describe the 1971 season as they won both the Mayflower “Class B” and Eastern MA “A2” circuit championships. The corps also appeared at the World Open, placing 11th In “Class B” activity for the second year in a row. In 1972, the Amvet Brigadiers went inactive, investing time into building a strong foundation for the future of the corps, reverting back to competition in 1973 as “Class B” members of the Mayflower circuit, placing 6^th in the championship. Over the next three seasons, they participated at the World Open “Class B” preliminaries, improving their placement each year with 22^nd (1974), 16^th (1975) and 14^th (1976) place finishes.

In 1977, the Brigadiers decided to elevate their status competing at the World Open “Class A” championships, placing 21^st amongst the upper echelon of the activity. The corps pursued its ascent within the “Class A” ranks by tying for 6^th position at the American International Open, achieving a finalist spot at the US Open, placing 6th and fishing 13^th at the World Open. The following year, the corps participated at their very first National championship at the DCI “Class A” prelims, placing 8^th and a 15^th place finish at the World Open.

The 1980 season was arguably one of their best competitive years, as the corps finished 2nd in the “Class A" DCI championship finals, qualified for the World Open finals with a 10^th place finish and competed at the prestigious CYO Nationals, placing 12^th. The Brigadiers returned to the DCI “Class A” in their final season, placing 8^th in the preliminaries and a 15^t place finish at the World Open. 

Over the course of the years, many individuals were part of the corps’ success including John Willard, Howard and Bill Arey and Tony Malafronte, to name but a few. The corps disbanded in 1982 but was instrumental in the reorganization of the Braintree Braves that season, lending their equipment until they could obtain their own.