Ambassadors

The Ambassadors drum and bugle corps was originally organized as the 56th Regiment New York Guard in Newburgh in 1942. Private, First Class Anthone V Ranellone was the original founder of the corps. Known informally as the 56th, the corps took many first-place honors in parade competitions both locally and in surrounding states. Their original purpose was to take part in formal guard mount in honor of Major General William Ottman, commander in 1942.  

During the war years, the corps operated with only a minimum of personnel, and after 1947, the State Guard was abolished so that the corps found itself without a sponsor. Returning servicemen swelled its ranks, however, and the 56th was able to continue on a self-supporting, entering field competition in 1952 as members of the Northeastern circuit. In the fall of that year, the John T. Kenney VFW Post 973 and the Civil Air Patrol agreed to sponsor the corps. With the backing of the Civil Air Patrol, the renamed Newburgh Ambassadors and under VFW sponsorship, rose to become New York State champions from 1954 to 1957.

In August of 1953, the corps competed for the first time amongst the elite of the senior corps activity and won the Eisenhower Inauguration Parade Trophy that year. The following season saw the Ambassadors continue their progression within the Northeastern circuit and were awarded the 1954 Cherry Blossom Festival trophy in Washington, D.C. In 1955, thecorps competed at the VFW Nationals in Boston, placing second in the “Open Class” division. Music instructors during this successful period were Jim Alexander and Gordon "Red" Barnum, assisted by drum instructor Bill Travis and drill designer Joe McVeigh.

From 1956 to 1958, the Newburgh Post remained competitive in the Northeastern circuit and joined the Yankee circuit in 1958. In 1959, the corps didn’t compete on the field that season but remained active and was awarded first place at the VFW state convention parade in Buffalo. The Ambassadors returned to field competition in 1960 and finished in 10^th position at the Northeastern championships.

The corps was easily identifiable throughout its life by the distinctive bright pink and black color scheme of their uniforms and flags, right down to the pink plumes on the hats and pink stripes down the trousers. In 1961, the Ambassadors merged with the Colonial Cavaliers of Port Ewen to form the Criterions.

Nick Tomasi; Paul Legault (DCX)

LOADING.....