Howard W. McCall Bluebirds

The Howard W. McCall Bluebirds was organized in 1929 by the McCall Post as a part of the American Legion-sponsored youth activity and Americanism programs. With headquarters at the Post Home, 4104 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, the corps has been continuously active since its beginning, and is recognized as one of the top junior corps in the country. In drum and bugle corps circles McCall's well-trained drum section has become particularly well known as having turned out several national title drummers. The drum line is instructed by Bill Reamer, the bugle line by Herbert Mann.

The corps is headed by a nine-girl color guard and three snappy drum majorettes, whose marching ability and rifle work respectively won the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Association Championship in April 1952. A corps theme song is "Blue Bird of Happiness."

During its 23 years the Corps has traveled far and wide attending parades and field competitions, and building up a long record of proud achievements; some of the more recent are as follows:

State Champions, American Legion, 1946; South Jersey Open Class Champions, 1947; National Champions, American Legion, 1947; Mason-Dixon Championship, Maryland, 1948; State Champions, American Legion, 1948; State Champions, American Legion, 1950; State Champions, American Legion, 1952.

A competent six member corps committee assists the Director, Mr. E. J. (Bud) Johnston, who, it is interesting to note, was formerly a youth in the Corps, having joined in 1935. He is also the drill instructor.

[From a drum corps program from the late 1950s]

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