A Holiday Message from Our Board Chairperson

My mom’s favorite season was winter. Although she’s been gone almost nine years now, she loved the serenity of falling snow. I can’t help but think of her often this time of year.

For many, the holiday season is bittersweet. But whether this message finds you joyful, or lonely, or somewhere in between, I hope you will find comfort and joy in knowing that you are part of The Cadets Family. Whether you donated, volunteered, marched, served on our staff, cheered us on from the stands, bought a T-shirt, or simply sent positive vibes to us on social media, you are helping to continue a tradition of love, hopefulness, and excellence that is bigger than any of us.

As we close out 2022, I’d like to extend another sincere thank-you to all Cadets supporters. Without you, The 2023 Cadets would not be possible. After the brass and percussion camp this past weekend, they are off to a fantastic start, and I can’t thank you all enough. You are the best holiday gift ever!

December always fills me with anticipation and the promise of blessings to come. Will this year finally be the time when I find that Mercedes Benz AMG SL-55 Roadster convertible in the driveway with a giant red bow? Probably not. But back in the day, I prayed that my Finals DVDs, or CDs, or (dare I say) albums, would arrive in time. I hoped that my students and friends’ kids would get that contract or call-back from their favorite corps, possibly even from The Cadets. And I dreamed about warmer weather, the smell of diesel fumes and finally scoring those 50-yard-line seats at DCI Finals!

For this year, I’d like to share my joy in the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the 1962 American Legion National Champion Garfield Cadets. What’s so special about this anniversary is the commemoration of the second American Legion three-peat (1948-50 and 1960-62).  1962 was two years before I was born and 23 years before I had the honor of marching in the first three-peat of the DCI era in 1985. What a legacy! Pat Riley may own the trademark, but The Cadets owned this accomplishment long before the NBA L.A. Lakers even dreamed of such a thing. No wonder so many of us have worked so hard to keep this tradition alive. Congratulations to the 1962 Garfield Cadets, and thank you all for your contributions to 20 National and World Championships over the past 88 years. FHNSAB!

I’d also like to share some of my hopes for this holiday season:

• I hope you are able to share love and joy with those special people closest to you.
• I hope all SCV vets and age-outs find a corps to march with this year.
• I hope the drum corps leaders start asking the right questions and find solutions to prevent this precious activity from continuing to fade away.
• I hope you are making your plans to experience The 2023 Cadets. You won’t want to miss them.
• I hope you stay engaged with us and expect more good news from The Cadets, as we lay the groundwork for a spectacular 2034 centennial season.
• And finally, I hope you reach out to your loved ones who may be hurting this time of year. Hug them and hold them close. So many people struggle to overcome sadness and despair during the holidays. Try to be the solution to help them cope and hope for better, more joyful times.

Remember, there are no secrets in drum corps, only the truth. I remain committed to transparency and connectedness and fostering a Cadets community in which everyone feels safe and welcome. If you're an alum who hasn't been involved for a while, I invite you to come home, Cadets! The vibe is warm, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

In your service,

John Broschak
Board Chairperson
Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc.