In the words of The Director

Executive Director George Lavelle, Jr. got us pumped up before our performance in Kingston when he said, “Ask yourselves what it means to be Bridgemen; to the outside world, it means a corps that's going to entertain them everytime out, a corps that's going to have them laughing, clapping, standing up and cheering. A corps that's worth the price of admission. A corps that after all these years is STILL doing all that.“

He went on to remind us that “We only have two shows left and need to enjoy these last two 'cause it's the last two times we, the 2007 corps, will EVER be together. Some of you won't be back. We are SO close to maxing this show out, let's go out and blow this place away!!”

In the words of “Uncle Johnson”

On a beautiful and cool August 11th morning, 40+ seasoned Bridgemen veterans board the bus for our next adventure - Kingston, New York. It's been 3 weeks since this gritty crew from Bayonne has gotten together and you could sense a level of anxiousness and excitement in the air. We were in “A New York State Of Mind.” Plus, after seeing the latest goodies that Eileen (aka “Cookie Lady”) put together, who wouldn't want to get on the bus. As a bonus, Diane Titus also sent Jeff loaded for bear with another assortment of low-cal goodies. Ahhh, life is good(ies)!

We arrive in the quaint little town in upstate New York in less than 2 hours and are greeted by the rest of the banana crew who arrived in their own chariots. The stage is now set for show #4 in our 5 show season.

George starts us out with a brief update on what the day will bring and not bring. The “not” part is what members cannot make this particular show. Due to illness and other conflicting personal situations we will have a number of members missing today. Oh well, such is life in an Alumni Corps. George does not dwell on the issue but puts a positive spin on what we have and puts the entire situation in perspective. He encourages us to focus on the task at hand and have a great rehearsal and day. We all agree and the afternoon festivities begin.

As has been the case for the last few months, the rehearsal goes very smoothly and the corps meets and surpasses the afternoon objectives. The corps wraps up the rehearsal with a final runthrough and it's quite apparent the Bridge people are ready to leave their mark on Upstate NY. In other words, the corps is “SMOKIN'.”

George wraps up rehearsal with some brief words and compliments the corps on the very effective rehearsal. The 2007 version of The Bridgemen has certainly beome more effective on the practice field. Our time management has improved 100% over 2006. So this lets us have a nice 4-hour break to shower, chow down, and participate in the ever popular BS sessions with our B'men brothers and sisters. Ya gotta love that!

The next few hours fly by, now it's time for the respective sections of the corps to gather for the pre-exhibition warm-ups. The intensity is there across the board and can be seen on the faces of each and every member. The warm-ups are over and the corps is ready to share its magical show with the good folks of Kingston.

George gives us another rousing pre-show monologue and implores us to do what we do best, that is perform our hearts out and have fun. No problem there George! We've gotten used to getting multiple standing “O's” at every show and anything less would put us in in a terrible funk. Ain't gonna happen! We're ready to do our thing.

The Corps enters the field to a packed house. We get the crowd's attention with a little Bridgemen shuffle and our rousing warm-up. The next 14 minutes we try our best to give the people what they paid for, a entertaining and fun show.

In my humble opinion, I guess it worked. After multiple standing ovations during the show, the Bridgemen leave the field to a packed house on their feet cheering us on.

Mission completed! The people are happy and in our hearts we know we gave it our all and we raised our own bar a little higher.

Thanks to every member of this organization. It's great to have the Bridgemen back entertaining people while also giving us the opportunity to build friendships and enjoy our hobby of choice.

It's been a great season and I think we'll all be a little sad to see it end in Rochester. Kinda like that feeling we used to get at the last show in Wildwood in the old days.

- John Richard, Drum Major

In the words of “JJ” on our forums

Congratulations, my brothers and sisters, on another magnificent performance!

Our backs were against the wall, missing so many members, and I was prepared to step it up. But that wasn't necessary! From the moment you got on that practice field, and we began stretching, I knew that your heads, and hearts were in the right place, as always, and you all knew what it was going to take, in order to achieve our collective goal!

I'm sure that you're all aware that our corps is very, very special, and, once again, you demonstrated just how special, yesterday in Kingston.

The temperature was much hotter yesterday than anticipated, (in more ways than one), and the sun was really blazing. Yet, you all kept your eyes on the target, pulled together as a family, and went out onto that field, and gave another AMAZING performance!!!

I really feel like we have come up with the correct formula for success! Of course, we all know that it is comprised of hard work, dedication, commitment, passion, devotion, talent, and working as a team.

But, the other ingredient that the Bridgemen have is... love. We all have a strong love for the Bridgemen, and for each other. Granted, we may have some differences off the field, and we don't always agree with everything on the field, but, for the most part, when we get onto the field for runthroughs, and/or performances... WATCH OUT!!!

We are in sync, like a finely-tuned Swiss watch, and we have a bond (of love) that is unlike any other drum corps in the world!

This I believe, with all of my heart. The Bridgemen are the most unique drum corps in the world, for many reasons, and we are truly ambassadors of good will, love, and just plain fun and entertainment... in the entire scheme of things!

I know that you already know all of this, but I just had to put my feelings down on my iMac!

Once again, you blew away all of those fans. I really believe that many of them were in shock!

Then, after giving everything you had during your outstanding performance, you pulled together to help load the truck. Nice job, guys!

Finally, after most of you were on the bus... you once again demonstrated to me, something that I already knew... What outstanding human beings that you are! The cheers and applause for the Cabs Alumni was just awesome! Having been a member of both the Muchachos, and Cabs, I can tell you that they were absolutely BLOWN AWAY, just like the fans during our performance!

I know that you touched their hearts, with your hearts, and it was a wonderful, LOVING gesture!

I know that this expression of love, and good will is going to have a lasting impression on them, and I believe that we have just formed a really strong relationship with the Cabs!

Once again, the Bridgemen, from Bayonne, New Jersey have risen above adversity, and turned a “nice little show in Kingston,” into a really phenomenal, and wonderful event!

Thank you for being a part of the Bridgemen Family, and for being the very special individuals that you are.

You all make this SO much fun!

And, as always, thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as one of your drum majors.

Love,
- Jim Jordan, Drum Major

P.S. I believe that the show of love for Cabs was George's idea, and it was brilliant, George!

By the way, in case you haven't noticed lately, we have a FANTASTIC DIRECTOR!!!!!!

Many of you may not be aware, but being the director of any corps is a very difficult job. Being the director of an “ALUMNI” or “TRIBUTE” corps is even MORE difficult!!! (There are A LOT more things that you don't have control over, and A LOT of different issues to contend with!) Then, on top of that, being the director of the BRIDGEMEN makes it, IMHO, possibly the most difficult directorial position in all of drum corps!!!

George had never directed an alumni corps before 2005, and I just want to go on record as saying that he is doing a PHENOMENAL JOB!!!

I challenge anyone to try and fill his shoes!

I bet most people wouldn't last more than a month, based on all of the &%#@ that he has to deal with! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, George is the right man for the job!!!

He LOVES the Bridgemen, and he is the BEST person for the job!!!

So, please, when you see our beloved director, please let him know that you appreciate his efforts. He really deserves a few pats on the back, and then some!!! He goes above and beyond the call of duty, almost 24/7!!!

HYPE!!!

- JJ