Newburgh Ambassadors

The senior corps Newburgh Ambassadors was originally organized as the 56th Regiment New York Guard in Newburgh, New York, in 1942. Known informally as the 56th, the corps took many first-place honors in competitions both locally and in surrounding states.

During the war years, the corps operated with only a minimum of personnel, and after 1947 the State Guard was abolished so that the corps found itself without a sponsor. Returning servicemen swelled its ranks, however, and the 56th was able to continue on a self-supporting basis until 1952. It was then that the John T. Kenney VFW Post and the Civil Air Patrol agreed to sponsor the 56th.

With the backing of the Civil Air Patrol, the renamed Newburgh Ambassadors won the Eisenhower Inauguration Parade Trophy and the Cherry Blossom Festival Trophy in Washington, D.C. Under VFW sponsorship, they rose to become New York State Champions in 1955-56 and 1956-57. The corps also placed second at the VFW National Convention at Boston in 1955. Music instructors during this successful period were Jim Alexander and Gordon "Red" Barnum, assisted by drum instructor Bill Travis and drill designer Joe McVeigh.

The corps was easily identifiable throughout its life by the distinctive bright pink and black color scheme of their uniforms and flags, right down to the pink plumes on the hats and pink stripes down the trousers.

The corps disbanded sometime prior to 1965, but passed their legacy on to the Newburgh’s newly formed Goodwill Ambassadors.

[Nick Tomasi]

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