Forty-seven years ago this winter was one of the greatest times in the history of Tyrone. It was the emergence of the Gardner Guards from the pack of drum and bugle corps that had been spawned in the years after World War II.
In January 1957, the Guards, eighty strong, marched in the inaugural parade for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. As the Guards marched past the reviewing stand, they played “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” in honor of the new president’s wife, ‘Mamie.’ ‘Ike’ stood, saluted, and watched with wonder as Henry Stange kept five batons in the air. No question about it — the Gardner Guards deserved that first-place award they received as the best corps in the line of march.
This appearance was to be the first of a marvelous series of occasions recognizing Tyrone’s own marching group. A massive welcome-home followed, as well as a giant tribute dinner.
Guards Appear on Nationwide TV
The most exciting event of 1957 was an invitation for the entire corps to be guests on the top-rated television program in America, the “Ed Sullivan Show.” A short time later, the Guards also appeared on Fred Waring’s program, direct from Shawnee on the Delaware — again, on national TV.
Later that summer, Tyrone observed its Centennial, and the Gardner Guards stunned the crowds at Gray Field with their performances.
For twenty-five years, the Guards were in constant demand, appearing in countless parades and taking part in drum and bugle corps competition in places stretching over four states.
Again, the Best in Line
Four years after their first trip to Washington, D.C., the Gardner Guards were invited to appear in the 1961 inaugural parade, as John F. Kennedy was sworn into office. This time, the weather was horrendous. The bus trip took twelve hours, but the Guards were undaunted and marched superbly, bringing home another trophy as the outstanding drum and bugle corps in the entire parade.
Why Were the Guards So Good?
What led to such an outstanding organization that was “born, bred, and buttered” right here? Morris Levine said that one of the things that made it so great was the fact that every member had been in the military service and knew how to march, to work as a team, and to follow orders and rules. Rich Searer, who, like Morris, was an original member, paid special tribute to Elmer Johnson, who worked with the buglers, Zilian Rumberger with the drummers, and Jack Clark, drum major. Postmaster Bob Beckwith was a constant worker and member. As others would return from the service, they’d join. For example, Mark Laird had been in the Air Force Drum & Bugle Corps from 1950 to 1954 and joined the Guards upon his return home.
Another reason was the wonderful assistance and support given by the entire community, as family members allowed the Guard personnel to be out practicing each evening, and to be gone for drills, parades, and competition throughout the entire “warm part” of the year.
One of the most significant factors was the recruiting of Master Sgt. Truman Crawford, director of the Air Force Drum & Bugle Corps, who came from Washington, D.C. each weekend with his new ideas as to how to make the Gardner Guards stand out from the other marchers. And, in the members of the Gardner Guards, he found a group hungry to be the best, and willing to listen and work harder and harder to achieve that goal.
Standing Out from the Rest
With the help of ‘Tru’ Crawford, the Gardner Guards stepped ahead of the rest! You could tell it as they approached in a parade. They were snappier; their music was more brilliant; their precision was instantly noticed. They quickly were perceived as “the best.” When the Guards would start to play, it was shocking! It was in total precision; it was loud, coordinated, and flashy. They took control!
You were spellbound, because they were so good. Each of their maneuvers was so perfectly coordinated and spectacular that the judges knew who was the best.
Winning the Most Trophies
Those were the days when the York White Roses, the Yankee Rebels from Baltimore, the Black Knights from Lock Haven, the Archer Eppler Musketeers from Upper Darby, and a few others were winning every prize. Then, the Gardner Guards came onto the scene, and it was different. Over and over, it was the guys from Tyrone who brought home the trophy.
Guards Didn’t Fade Away
Gradually, it became hard for communities to support local drum and bugle corps, and many ceased to parade and compete. But the Gardner Guards were strong for more than a decade and then moved to Altoona, later to return to Tyrone for another highly successful period, with younger leadership, including Rich Derman, Ernie Weaver, Murray Fetzer, Ron Westbrook, and others. The Guards’ thirty-one year “run” remains at the heart of “Pride in Tyrone.”
The new Tyrone History Museum at the Railroad Park displays a complete Gardner Guards uniform, instruments, and other memorabilia. Don Wilson has presented the Tyrone Area Historical Society with a large scrapbook of photographs and reprints telling the story of the Gardner Guards. It starts with the formation of the group, continues through the decades before they moved to Altoona as the Keystone Guards, and when they returned here as the Tyrone Guards. It ends with the Reunion of members held in 2000. Keith Kelly was the only member to be with the Guards throughout their entire thirty-one year existence. Barbara Kelly matched her husband’s devotion by single-handedly making all the new uniforms when the Guards returned to Tyrone.
Over the years, more than 450 persons marched with the Guards. We owe them so much!
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