Cavaliers

The Cavaliers drum and bugle corps was originally formed in the fall of 1952 as the Bird-McGinnis American Legion (AL) Post 162 drum corps.

The Post 162 made their initial appearance in the Marion Memorial Day parade, dressed in a regulation blue uniform with white helmets, gloves and leggings. In their inaugural season of competition, the corps competed in the 1953 Ohio state championships, placing in 7^th position and improved to a 5^th place finish the following year, under their new adopted name, the Cavaliers. After once again moving up the ranks with a 4^th place in the OH AL contest, the unit participated in the 1955 AL Nationals, where they placed 17^th in the preliminaries.

By the mid-50’s, the Cavaliers expanded their membership to “non veteran” individuals, a move that proved fruitful for the organization, placing 2^nd in the 1956 state convention. The following year, the corps, sporting their new military style uniforms with white coats, black and red sashes and trim, black pants with white stripes and the cadet style black with white plumes, finished 3^rd and competed one last time in the 1958 AL Nationals, where they finished 15^th in the prelims.

In their final season of competition, they placed 4^th in the 1959 OH state championships. It is also important to note that during their competitive years, the corps was a member of the Drum Corps Midwest “Senior” circuit.

In 1960, the unit disbanded as the AL Post 162 formed a new junior corps, the Marion Cadets, with assistance from the Cavaliers, providing instruments and instruction. 

Paul Legault (DCX)

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