Diplomats

The Diplomats drum and bugle corps was originally formed in September of 1961 as the feeder corps for the Lakewood Ambassadors, under the leadership of Bill Francis and Richard Harn.

After their first three years as a parade and training unit, the group separated and the Diplomats, under the leadership of Dick Harn, reorganized under the sponsorship of the Lakewood American Legion (AL) Post 496. That same year, they entered the field of competition, dressed in their uniforms consisting of shimmering blue with red and white trimmings, appearing in the 1965 California State AL championships, placing in 10^th position and finished 2^nd in the CA State Open “Class B” division.

The Hollywood AL Post 43 took over sponsorship of the corps for the next two seasons as they continued to improve within the state, moving up to 3^rd place in the 1967 CA State Open championships and built a reputation as the corps with the “Big Sound”. In November of 1967, the City Council of Lynwood voted to sponsor the group, providing financial assistance along with a gymnasium and practice fields. The corps went on the compete in their first National championship with an appearance in the 1968 AL Nationals, placing 4th in the finals.

The 1969 season saw the corps sponsor their first annual “Symphony in Brass” drum corps competition as they placed 3rd in the CA State Open contest. In the summer of 1970, the corps suffered several setbacks that forced an early exit from the competitive field but they rebounded the following year with a strong contingency and returned to the 1971 AL Nationals, finishing 6^th in the finals. Wayne Bergeron, professional jazz trumpet player was an alumnus of the corps that year. In their final season, the Diplomats the participated in the 1972 CA VFW state convention, where they finished in 4^th position and placed 8^th in the CA State Open championships.

They disbanded in 1973.

M. Stohler - January 2016; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (21)