UP Drum and Bugle Corps, 1949
I believe my stint in the UP Drum and Bugle Corps was when I was in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. This would have been 1948 to 1952. We always enjoyed playing for the Shrine Circus as we did a matinee performance and that meant getting out of school. We performed at the first performance of the circus when they came to Omaha and it was free for us as well as all the handicapped students. FUN DAY!
I also remember the performances at the rodeo. After we did the opening ceremony, we were allowed to stay and watch the rodeo, but most of the time many of us stayed backstage to check out all the cute cowboys.
The highlight of my time with the corps was a parade we did for the premier of the movie "Son of Sinbad." Stars Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie were so nice to us. My father asked Tony Curtis if he could take a picture of him with me and he was obliging. I was in a daze as he put his arm around me. The picture turned out great and my dad had it blown up to about a 10x12 photo. I kept the wallet size in my billfold for years, and of course remained a fan of Tony Curtis forever. These were great days as Omaha had many parades each year.