When you arrived at the Sunrisers in 1963, your reputation had preceded you. Most of us had memorized your horn solos from the Floyd Bennett  recordings and you were immediately dubbed "The Bird.” Your abilities were a given, but no one could have anticipated your un-selfish devotion and drive to push the limits for the greater good of the entire corps. Assisting in both music and drill, you contributed to the rise of the Sunrisers to national status. You set an example by giving up your beloved French horn, an instrument on which you had no peer, to become the first mellophone soloist in Sunriser history.

Later, you taught thousands of young people the skills and joys of drum corps performance. From the moment you walked in to the Mineola Post you have been a great credit to the Sunrisers, and we salute you.