The ever-quotable Mr. John J. Maloney started the H.T. Andrews drum corps to assuage the concern voiced above. He was a former National Vice-Commander of the Legion and returned from the 1933 Convention determined that Maine should have its own corps. They made their first appearance on Memorial Day of 1934.

Their Drum Major, William Knight, was found unqualified to march in their first competitive parade, and a striking blonde teenage girl - Maureen Maloney (John's daughter) put down her drum and stepped to the front.

At first, the corps was simply known as the "H. T. Andrews Post Drum and Bugle Corps". The striking Zouave-style uniforms were made by the mothers of the members and were delivered very shortly before the first parade.

As time went along the corps became noted musical ambassadors of the Forest City, serving as the inspiration for many corps that started here.

The corps evolved and changed its name - they added the name "Sabres" and were a respected presence in the New England drum corps scene.

In the early 1960's they carried their colors as far away as France.

Yes, that's Maureen Maloney and the caption reads "These three members of the Harold T. Andrews post Drum and Bugle corps - Madeline Mitchell (L), Maureen Maloney (C) and Jean Hight (R), are busy today looking over the sights of the Beantown. It's the first trip for Madeline and Jean, but Maureen has attended Legion conventions from Maine to California."

Thank you, Ma'am - and thanks to the Maloney family for graciously sharing their memories with us.

Timeline

• 1933 - Harold T. Andrews American Legion Post #17 - John J. Maloney starts the H.T. Andrews Drum and Bugle Corps
• 1934 - H.T. Andrews makes its first parade appearance on Memorial Day
• 1935 - Corps given travelling suits (by J.J. Nissen, the baker) and uniforms (Col. Wm. Campbell of Goodall Mills) for Nationals in St. Louis.
• 1936 - Corps places 2nd at A.L. Nationals in Cleveland
• 1937 - Corps places 4th at A.L. Nationals at the Polo Grounds in New York City
• 1938 - Corps attends Nationals in Los Angeles, visits Catalina Island as guests of Portland native John Ford - meet Johnny Weismuller and Shirley Temple
• 1940 - Corps competes at Nationals in Boston with new uniforms
• 1941 - Corps attends Nationals in Milwaukee
• 1957 - Corps adopts the name "Andrews Sabres" and with new uniforms, competes at Nationals in Bangor, Maine
• 1958 - Guard wins Northern New England Championship