The Veterans’ Memorial Park Honor Guard now includes marching percussion in its repertoire.
Thanks to a few new instruments, The Villages’ Veterans’ Memorial Park Honor Guard is keeping the beat going.
Its percussion line was recently enlarged from one to two snare drummers, one bass drummer and one cymbalist. Snare drums are played by Bob Bienvenue, Deborah Perina and Rick Wittier; bass drums are played by Bill Bossert and Kay Watkins; and cymbals are played by Paul Sorse.
“It has really been a good thing,” said Peggy Campbell, commander of the Honor Guard. “Everybody’s real enthused about it.”
The drum line, which has been performing for a few months, plays cadences while the Honor Guard marches into the park and then follows the guard out at the conclusion.
“It really helps us maintain our marching and our steps,” said Campbell, who lives in Wildwood. “It brings a bit more pride to us.”
The drum line made its debut performance on March 29 at the Vietnam War Welcome Home Ceremony.
Bienvenue had previously proposed that the drum line lead the marching troop to the park. For the occasion, he acquired a bass drum and a pair of cymbals.
“I said, ‘Does anyone want to play the bass drum and cymbals?'” Bienvenue said. “And so it was born.”
Campbell approached the board and proposed that the group purchase its own set of instruments, and the board agreed to pay for the acquisition.
After replacing another musician, Bienvenue, who served in the Air Force, became the only snare drummer for the Veterans’ Memorial Park Honor Guard in 2014.
“Being a part of the Honor Guard is an extension of my continuing responsibility as a military officer,” said Bienvenue, of the Village of Mallory Square. “I think it’s an honor for me to be part of that group. I’m glad to honor the legacy of the military that we celebrate at these ceremonies.”
Watkins, a member of the Honor Guard’s escorts, began his career on the snare drum but recently converted to the bass drum.
“It’s a steady beat, not as technical a skill,” said Watkins, of the Village of DeSoto. “It seemed like something else to volunteer and get a new skill.”
Watkins, who served in the Navy for 20 years, wants to learn more about the snare drum.
“I can hide my lack of skills on the bass drum,” Watkins said, laughing. “With the snare drum, everybody’s going to hear.”
Campbell can be contacted at 352-207-3088 or pegcam68@gmail.com if anyone who has been honorably discharged from any branch of the military is interested in joining the drum line.
– Attributed Source, The Villages Daily Sun