Continental Cadets

The Continental Cadets drum & bugle corps was organized in the fall of 1959 with a membership of 30 boys. The corps was sponsored by the Parents Independent Committee and the Virgil E. Deyo AL Post 1327 of Prattsville.

The Continental Cadets were under the direction of Mr. John C. “Jack” Gardner and their colors were gray with black, silver and white trims. Through dedication and fund raising, the corps was able to field competitively in 1960. Joining the Hudson Berkshire circuit, they placed third in all circuit contests that year. Over the next 3 seasons, the corps went on to place 6^th in the Berkshire “Class A” division in both 1961 and 1962, finishing 5^th in 1963.

The corps was declared the 1964 Berkshire “Class B” champions as they also joined the Yankee “Class B”, placing 7^th. They performed at the 1964 World's Fair in New York and again in 1965 representing Greene County. In  “Class B” competition, they placed 4^th in the Berkshire circuit and 5^th in the Yankee circuit championships in 1965, which was considered a rebuilding year for the corps. The instructional staff included all members famed Interstatesmen Senior Corps with Raymond Benoit on brass, Robert Benson on percussion and Jack Gardner, the corps director, on visual.

The Continental unit appeared in the 1966 NY state American Legion contest, where they finished in 19^th position and the Yankee circuit “Class B” preliminaries. The corps remained active over the next two seasons as a parade and exhibition group before returning to field action within the Yankee “Class B” circuit. The return to the field was short-lived as they would convert back to parade status until reorganizing as a competitive corps as part of a newly formed Upstate New York circuit in 1975, placing 4^th and 6^th the next year.

After one last season of parade activity, the corps merged with the Kingston Indians and Pacers of Poughkeepsie in 1978 to form the Hudson Valley Indians.

From the 1st Annual Pow-Wow Junior Championship program, Kingston, NY, August 28, 1965; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (5)