In 1957 the still relatively new Cavaliers won the VFW national championship. They were the first non-East Coast corps to win.
The St. Vincent Cadets, who often won back then, were none too pleased. A great fight ensued after the show and the young Cavaliers were getting their butts kicked. But the Reilly Raiders senior corps, grateful that the Cavaliers had loaned them their drums that evening (with the new plastic heads during a rainy night that helped them win drums because everyone else was using mushy calfskin heads), came to the rescue and helped finish the fight and save the Cavaliers.
60 years later, we presented the Reilly Raiders alumni corps with a replica 1957 Cavaliers drum, complete with authentic plastic head from that year. Scotty Wild, who marched in the Cavaliers in 1957, presented it to a Reilly Raider who also marched that same year.
Great moment for all involved!— with Bill N Lyn K.
– Paul Milano
