Remembering Homecoming Weekend 2021
On October 9-10, The Cadets hosted four unique events over the course of one weekend celebration. Alumni and friends of the corps came together in the corps' birthplace of Garfield, N.J. to commemorate the rich, 87-year history as well as the most recent Cadets season.
"Homecoming Weekend is the Event of the Year, and this one was no different!" said John Hannigan, Cadets Hall-of-Famer, alumnus and former drum major. "Seeing life-long friends and reminiscing about the best times of our lives made this event very special," he said.
The festivities began on Saturday, October 9 at the Legacy Luncheon, a high-end event featuring an elegant venue, fine wines, a delicious menu, and a special presentation honoring four important members of The Cadets' legacy.
Saturday evening, about 200 alumni, friends and family gathered at the VFW in Garfield for a true New Jersey Beefsteak (if you know, you know) and The Cadets' 2021 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
On Sunday morning, a very special memorial mass was held in honor of "Cadets Eternal" at Most Holy Name Church, led by Cadets Alumnus and Historian Scotty McGarry.
And a beautiful gala capped the weekend in spectacular fashion at the Brownstone.
Cadets of every generation were present, including members of The 2021 Cadets, who performed in uniform at both the Cadets Mass and the Homecoming Gala.
“I learned some things this weekend," said Patti Lovas Trojanowski (Color Guard 1969-1973). "I learned that all Cadets are the same from the beginning until today. That we have all learned the same things. That being part of the legacy of The Cadets cannot be equaled. That everyone who ever marched, no matter the year(s), is a part of the continuance of the extraordinary uniqueness that is The Cadets. Without us, there would be no them. Without them, there would be no us. That having been a Cadet should never be taken for granted. That being a Cadet is as important to the 2021 and 2022 members as it was for the very first corps members. I don’t know why I never really saw it before, but listening to the three 1987 corps members and staff made it all come together for me. I love my fellow Cadets, even the ones I haven’t met yet. I carry them with me wherever I go with love”.
The staff of Cadets Arts & Entertainment and The Cadets Alumni Committee would like to thank each and every person who attended these events or contributed to their success. It was wonderful to come together again for the first time in two years, and we look forward to announcing another wonderful series of events for 2022 soon!
