It began in 1950 at a Marine Corps League meeting in Lakeview, West Hempstead, Long Island. Being Gung-Ho with still the Marine Corps blood in my veins from W.W.II and anxious to promote youthful projects for my organization, I made a motion on the floor of a meeting to organize a Drum Corps. Needless to say, I John Hodge, having played before W.W.II in drum corps, received the support, and the motion was passed! Great!! Now what? Where do we get the money for instruments, uniforms, instructors, etc.?!
As the Director of the newly organized “Marines Memorial Drum Corps of Nassau County” Smedley D. Butler Detachment Marine Corps League (the official name at that time) received the monies from the league to go ahead and purchase the required items to get started. Two members of the League, Ed McAvoy, a drummer and Ed Ryan, bugle man offered to assist me to get the corps off the ground. Notice was sent around the area, advertising for corps members. The response was immediate, and overwhelming, over 100 inquiries! I felt at the time, the size of the corps should be limited to approximately 30 members. Being that we owned our own building in Lakeview, practice would be no problem, but not for 100 players. Thirty of the most promising applicants were selected.
Our first instruments were purchased from the Hempsted Fire Department, 4 snare drums, 2 bass, 15 G bugles, cymbals, etc. … for $140.00. The drum line developed as did the horns; within 1 year the corps, now fully uniformed in Marine Corps Dress Blues, was shown to the public on Memorial Day 1951. After that, the corps moved at a rapid pace. Demands were great for our services. But by 1953, it was too much for the youngsters to handle, with school and homework and other commitments. I could see the corps having internal problems, it started slipping away from me! At this time I started thinking big. How about a Senior Corps?? I sent word out announcing the formation of a Senior Corps. It wasn't long before my phone started ringing at home!! Former players from pre-war corps had now moved to Long Island and wanted to be a part of this new group!!
It was in the Spring of 1953 when I first met Ray Nichols, Bugle Instructor. He was hired to teach the new Senior Corps music. He immediately asked for and received money to purchase valve horns. By the summer of 1953 we had assembled a 12 man hornline, consisting of Bill and Lillian Linde, Bob Staudt, Jack Graven, Bill Butner, Ed Dingley, Ray Anderson and me, John Hodge on Baritone. New Drum Instructor was Herb Wier, Bass Drum Instructor was Harry Porfat. And Bass Drummer from an ancient fife corps, The One and Only Fred Rose.
The corps continued to swell in rank and parade jobs were coming in from all over the Island. As Director and Business Manager, I couldn't handle all the work involved. Lillian Linde became my Secretary, taking care of all inquiries and bookings, and answering mail.
By the winter of 1953, The Marine Corps League could no longer sponser the corps. We continued to stay banded together and use the League building for practice. Contact was made and a meeting was arranged between the Management of the Corps and the William Clinton Story Post, American Legion 342, Freeport, New York, (Gregory Lampasona and Walter Batcher of the corps, were responsible for this meeting.) In the early part of 1954, the transfer was made to Freeport. The name of the corps would now be, “The William Clinton Story Post Drum and Bugle Corps” American Legion Freeport, New York located on Sunrise Highway. Mr. Howard Larsen, of the post was Liason Officer, between the corps and the Post. At this time, Fred Rose was elected Director of the Corps; Lillian Linde, Assistant; Ray Nichols on Horns and Herb Weir on Drums.
Things started to progress very quickly. The quality of horn players and drummers became unreal!! Ray was writing and we were playing, music that was above our capability!! But we made it, strong on all sides! By this time, we had gained tremendous confidence in ourselves. We could play anything Ray could give us. And we did!! Word had gotten around about this new Senior Corps from Long Island. Who were they?? Where did they get this Personnel? Are they going to last?? Do they all live on Long Island? Maybe we should take a peek and see just how good this corps is?!? At a rehearsal one evening, a visitor from a “Big” Senior Corps, paid us a visit! Much to his amazement, this corps was everything that was told to him. Much conversation was exchanged throughout the evening. I know when he left, this new corps from Freeport left a great impression on him. (As was to come, in future years, The Sunrisers were to become DCA champions for 2 consecutive years by beating his corps throughout the second year period.)
My sincere appreciation to the late “Lefty” Henry Mayer of the famous New York Skyliners, for his visitation, more than once, and much needed advise on how to keep your corps alive. The relationship that was developed between Fred Rose, Director of Freeport corps and “Lefty” Mayer, of the Skyliners was almost like a marriage. Over the years, while both corps were competing, there was a great respect between both of these Great Corps Managers!
As time went by, the corps was progressing very well. We swelled in proportion. New valve horns were purchased as well as drums. New uniforms were designed by Lillian Linde, Howard Larsen, and me, John Hodge, and made in Nassau County colors: orange, blue, and white. Ray Nichols had written some new French music. To honor this music, blue berets were the new headgear for the corps.
One evening in 1954, while sitting home studying my baritone parts, I jumped up from my chair to turn the radio up load. What I heard was: Les Paul and Mary Ford playing … “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise!” which was their big hit at the time. When it ended, I grabbed my phone and called Ray Nichols. This was on a Tuesday evening. “Ray!” I said, “I have a terrific idea! How about a new name for the corps??” Ray asked what I had in mind. “Try this for size, Ray! See what you think. The Sunrisers. and you write the theme song for us, The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise!”
Well, I guess you know, Ray and I didn't get any sleep for the next two nights. Friday night came, and rehearsal. Out came the announcement! The new name of the corps. A great ovation came from the members! And now the new theme came out of Ray's briefcase. All sections received their music. There was electricity radiating through the entire corps when they started reading their parts. By the end of the practice session, we had our theme down to perfection!! This is our song!! Where ever we played it, people knew that there is only one “Sunrisers.” And that made us feel proud!
John Hodge: Baritone, Founding Member
