Entering History

For the first time in its 91 years, Bonnie Brae entered National history by marching in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural parade as seen on several National television stations, including CNN and C-Span. But before they left NJ, the Knights got haircuts as described by Linda Sadlouskos here.

Later, Linda, a staff writer for the "My Central Jersey" newspaper describes the bus scene as it arrived in DC, and you can read about it here. "They were totally in awe," the school's special events coordinator Cathy Phillips said at about 9 a.m., shortly after the bus's arrival. "They were looking out the windows at the landmark's -- I don't think any of them had ever been here before," Phillips said of the Knights band, traveling with their advisers and chaperons for a very long one day trip."

During the parade the Knights played on Pearl drums as seen in this photo from the Pearl website.

National Public Radio covered and summarized the day here, and provided two sets of pictures. This first one, here covers the swearing in ceremony, whereas the second set of 32 pictures covers the parade here

2009 Inaugural Parade Lineup

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." With these words, directed by our Constitution, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America. You can read the Constitution in its original wording here. Photo of the President taking his oath from the Herald Dispatch. Click any image for a larger view.

"In the 2009 Inaugural Parade, over 10,000 people from all 50 states will follow the President and Vice President from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue. Music and cultural groups will join representatives from our Armed Forces in the historic parade, which concludes at the presidential reviewing stand, where the President and Vice President will watch the processional with their families." The Parade route can be seen in this image where the outline in magenta is restricted to pedestrian traffic only and "M" stands for a Metro station, many being closed for security reasons.

To see the lineup order look here. Looks like the BB Knights are about half way in the lineup, and the fifth group behind the U.S. Navy. Here is an alphabetical list that identifies each participant by their State. Go BB !!!

Dress Rehersal

Going to Washington, D.C., is no minor event; few people manage to accomplish that. Going to Washington during a Presidential Inaugural is rarer still. However, going to our National Capital to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade is an event of a lifetime. Six days prior to the Parade, the Bonnie Brae Knights came together in a public dress rehearsal (see photo on the left) and received some obvious enthusiastic community support. Moreover, the 16-member band received a framed resolution from Bernards Township Mayor Carolyn Kelly, and "William Powers, the school’s executive director, told the crowd that fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger also called and donated knit caps, winter jackets and travel bags, “so the boys are going in style.”" View more pictures and read that report here.

In this photo on the right, the Knights enter to some enthusiastic applause and cheering. Click on any image for a larger view.

And here they are (below) in full dress regalia, preparing for the experience of a lifetime.

The photos courtesy of Alumnus John Grodzki.

This just in; one more video from the New Jersey Star Ledger which ran a brief video about the Knights on Friday, January 16th.

The brief video is the second of two features that can be seen here.
The photo on the right is from the Star Ledger video, and here is a lengthy report by Christina Johnson in the Real Time News.

Go Bonnie Brae !!!

BB Drummers on ABC News

On Thursday, January 15th, 2009, the Bonnie Brae Marching Drummers once again were on TV. This time on ABC Evening News. Here is ABC's Evening News anchor Charles Gibson introducing the story.

As Mr. Gibson notes, 1,400 bands applied, but only 90 were selected. And the Bonnie Brae Knights are one of the ninety.

It's not like drumming and music came easy. The boys needed some lessons, and the local community came to support this effort.

A direct link to the 2:15 minute ABC video can be found here. Go Bonnie Brae !!

BB Drumers on CBS News

On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, the Bonnie Brae Knights, a newly formed drum line made it to CBS TV News with Katie Couric. The byline stated, "The Bonnie Brae Knights are a marching band from N.J. composed of boys with troubled backgrounds. But, as Steve Hartman reports, this band will perform at this year's presidential inauguration." A picture of the CBS News opening scene is on the right.

The report included comment about BB Director Bill Powers who had so much faith in his boys that he sent in an application for the BB Knights to march in Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade. See the picture on the left.

Interestingly, the Application, contained a few, well shall we say, "Director prerogative" enhancements, as seen in this image on the right.

You can watch the two and a half minute video here, and you can read the text of the report here.
Daughter Christina said, "Great Video! What a great experience for these kids, and a boost for the school resume! That was gutsy of Bill to apply, and I am very glad that these boys made it and will be a part of history."


Go Bonnie Brae!!!