History
The Guardsmen were formed in 1967 as a feeder corps to the Sentinels of Bellevue, Washington. In 1967 the corps performed in parades throughout the Pacific Northwest primarily as a money-making entity supporting the Sentinels.
In 1968, James C. McCormick was named as Director, and they entered field competition in the “C” class. The Guardsmen existed for three years under his leadership. At the end of the 1970 season James C. McCormick was named director of the Sentinels due to the retirement of Duane C. Andrews. The Guardsmen were temporarily deactivated because of this as well as for financial reasons. The Guardsmen were reactivated in 1974 by Mr. & Mrs. Bowers of Renton, Washington the parents of Jerry Bowers the current Drum Major for the Sentinels. The corps only lasted through the remainder of the 1974 season and disbanded again.
Submitted by Richard W. Rice (11/17/04)
Charter Member, 1967 Guardsmen.
1963 Peabody Musketeers (Mass)
In 1966 the Sentinels bought these uniforms for their feeder corps, The Guardsmen.
The Musketeers, formed in 1960, were a junior corps based in Peabody, Massachusetts. They were affiliated with the Fidelity VFW Post 1011.
The corps’ colors were red, gold, and black.
Awards included the American Veterans States Championship in 1962, and the All-American New Hampshire Championship 1962-63.
1964 Peabody Musketeers (Mass)
1968 Bellevue Guardsmen
1968 Guardsmen at the Redmond (WA) Derby Days
1968 Guardsmen at the Redmond (WA) Derby Days
1969 Guardsmen
Seattle Seafair Parade
1970 Calgary Stampede – Calgary Alberta, Canada
1970’s Guardsmen
(Sentinels color scheme)
