John McCree sends in today's image. His commentary:

"This weekend marks the 35th anniversary of St.Lucy's Cadets, Newark, NJ winning their last major championship, the N.J. American Legion States in Wildwood. Earlier that season (68) they won the VFW States, National Dream contest, Jersey City and the 1968 American Legion National Championship in New Orleans, La. Many former SRL, Imperial Lancers marched with Lucy's 67-69. I believe Brian Daley, Lucy Capt./Guard may have been the first. So here's to those boys of the summer of '68...Newark's last drum corps champion."

I have many fond memories of my drum corps years with the Lancers and St. Lucy's but 1968 was the best! We had alot of fun and did alot of traveling that summer. I'm glad that some of us have reconnected after all these years. Let's keep it up.
Ironically,in today's Ledger, was an obituary for Thomas Campione who was the Director of St. Lucy's Cadets when we won the National Championship in New Orleans in 1968

A mass for Thomas "Tom McCann" Campione 78, a lifelong resident of Newark, will be at 10 am tomorrow in St. Luucy's Church, after the funeral from Megaro Funeral home 503 Union Aavenue belleville.

Mr. Campione was a clerk with the City of Newark for 18 years efore retiring 8 years ago.

Mr. Campione served in the Navy during World War Two.

Active with the Drum and bugle corps at St.Lucy's Church, he was director of the national championship
Cadets in 1968 and was a memer of the Metro judging Drum and bugle corps and the Hawthorne Caballaros Drum and bugle corps. His other activities in Newark included the Columbus Day Parade committee, the Frank Megaro Association, Klub Ranier, the C.P.C. club ,
and Villa victoria, where he was a trustee.

Surviving are his wife Josephine, a son andrew, a daughter Phyllis Petrillo, sisters Mary Linfante and Stella Soriano, seven grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren.

Visitation was Wednesday 7-9, thursday 2-4 and 7-9.
funeral tomorrow 10 am. Entombment Holy Cross
Cemetery North Arlington. In lieu of flowers send contributions to St. Gerard Plaza c/0 St.Lucy's church
118 7th Avenue, Newark, N.J. 07104

Yesterday I had a warm memory of the summer of '68 which I shared with the web-master. Today I am saddened to read of the passing of our (Lucy's) director...Tom Campione (aka: McCann). He was a vital part of the corps bravado. "Nobody messed with his boys"...and none of us ever crossed him." Dove c'e' errore, io porti verita'" ( where there is wrong, I brought in the right ) Many judges took notice when Tom was present on the sidelines...especially during retreat. And when he and Father Joe were side by side, it was intimidating to say the least. He was a major piece of the Lucy mystique. Bobby Davis refers to the irony of the timing of my post. Quite frankly.....it gave me chills this morning.
" Perdonando si e' perdonati, Morendo, si risucita " alla Vita ".

Bob Davis advised that Fr.Joseph Nativo, St.Lucy's, passed away. Fr.Joe or Fr.Nat as he was also known, was truly a hero to hundreds of young men. He was with the parish since the late 50's. Among the many things he did....he single handedly dedicated himself to see that Fr. V's (St.Lucy's Cadets Moderator's) dying wish, to bring home a National Championship to 7th Ave, came true. It was his passion, coupled with his discipline, that inspired the corps. And in 1968...it all came to fruition in New Orleans.
Personally speaking, he was a true role model. If there's..... "Drum Corps in Heaven" they are applauding him right now.
Please say a prayer for a Newark icon.