|
| Brooklyn Girls Scouts parade
along Surf Avenue at Coney Island, 1943. This started day of hilarious fun during which
more than 3000 Brooklyn Girl Scouts took over at Steeplechase Park for 13th year. Shown is
the St. James Cadet Band, 1943. Bass drum: Virginia Holmes Powell. In back of the girl in
the lower left of the picture (first row of the band) is Gloria Smith McCosker. The
St. James all-girl drill team participated in most of the "war hero"
celebrations all over Brooklyn and New York. They were in great demand and won many
awards--for dress, posture, instruments (couldn't have a fingerprint on the brass). The
white gloves and shoes had to be spotless. Ginny says she was proud to be part of the band
going to NYC to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. They rode the subway and it was
quite a crush with all their instruments. People on the train and on the station wanted
them to play. They got an OK from the subway conductor and what a sound! It was fantastic
echoing through the tunnels. The people even passed a hat several times and they got quite
a collection. (Courtesy Virginia Holmes Powell) |
|