Author Archives: Dan Wolfe

“The Happiest Millionaire” Premiere – 1967

Band Sir! Posted on by

Here’s a few more photos from Bruce Daggett.  I’ll let him explain.

“I had these pictures from an outing of the Band to help kick off the premier showing of  The Happiest Millionaire in Philadelphia.

The movie starred Fred MacMurry and [the premiere] was held at the Boyd Theater located at 1908 Chestnut Street on October 20,1967.

Fred was known to be a sax player and the picture is of him holding my sax.  I thought it was a great picture of the Duke.

As a comment, we have so much to be thankful for because of the talents of Mr. Jesse E. Hartman who took all these shots and many many others.

I don’t know if he was on retainer by the school, but Jesse was a professional photographer from Havertown, PA who always was on location at the many Forge events.

Hope you enjoy!

Band Sir!

Bruce Daggett  67 & 69 JC”

This post is also permanently placed under the “About” section of BandSir.com.

Nixon and the Band – 1969

Band Sir! Posted on by

The Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College Band was invited to represent the State of Pennsylvania in Richard Nixon’s January 20, 1969 Inauguration Parade.  

VFMA Alum Bruce Daggett, 67 & 69 JC, sent this picture of the band passing by the reviewing stand and this letter from President Nixon 4 days later thanking the school.

Secondly, the Band and Glee Club performed in Concert the same year in the White House for President Nixon.

Click on any image to view a higher resolution version.

Thanks to Bruce for another terrific contribution!

This post is also permanently placed under the “About” section of BandSir.com.

Interview with John Hoffman, ’69

Band Sir! Posted on by

One of our esteemed fellow VFMA alumni, who chooses to remain nameless, sent me this note on the Book of Faces:

“Dan, I just came across this about John Hoffman, ‘legendary’ Bandsman ’69. Excellent audio interview with him. Many of us always wanted to know all that he had been involved in. This says it all.”

This unnamed, “honorable” alum, who wore three pips and a tuba my plebe year, is correct — it’s a really terrific interview!

Originally heard on…

[Edited to correct graduation year.]

Feltham Era Reunion in October – UPDATE

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Posted at the request of the author, James Meckley ’67.

August 8, 2017

Gentlemen,

It is the beginning of August and the agenda is set, the Banquet is in place, transportation to events are booked and only 39 out of 629 bandsmen are missing, 483 have been contacted and unfortunately 109 are deceased. To this point there are 48 paid to attend the Banquet and thirty eight (38) rooms have been reserved. Thirty (30) have been kind enough to contact me with regrets. A few others told me before this all began that the weekend we picked would be a problem due to other commitments. I have also received some wonderful notes and emails encouraging and thanking me for my efforts. Colonel Feltham’s son, Dudley and his wife Sarah and grandson Christopher have accepted our invitation and will be present at the banquet.

For those who may be procrastinating or finalizing schedules, you have approximately 5 weeks until the September 15th deadline. Rooms will be held at the special pricing until that date and the banquet meal orders need to be given to the caterers and banquet facilities staff. Those of you who have sent registration and payment should make sure you are on the banquet list (attached to this Email). For those who want to attend the banquet only, you are most welcome to participate in all the other activities without staying at the hotel.

One last favor I would like to ask everyone, attending or not, please send me via email your complete address, telephone number, instrument you played and your spouses name if applicable. This will help me greatly in updating the band alumni list.

Attached to this letter is the latest list of attendees to the banquet, a list of the 39 missing for those who can help with the search and the itinerary for the weekend in case you didn’t see it before. [Note: Please see the post below to view these attachments. – DW ]

I feel we were a very talented group of men with a very special bond that were given many tools for success by a man who made us hungry to excel in all that we did. I hope those who do not attend will not regret missing the special bond that will happen while we are together on October 13-15, 2017.

Thank you and hope to hear from many of you. Encouragement from you to a fellow classmate is a great recruiting tool. Let me know if you need contact information for someone not on the attendance list. it’s not too late.

Jim Meckley ’67 Band Sir!