Who were the BlueJackets Guard?
The google will not tell. Someone on 7th Avenue is (was?) proud of being a part of it. We salute you all the same.
(NB: 'Bluejacket' is oldish slang for a UK or US sailor. But still...)
6/13 UPDATE: an answer in the comments from 'brooklynpity':
This was a very nice club or organization such as the boy scouts. If I remember well the activities were held at the old courthouse on 44th street and 4th avenue in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. They participated in parades and community activities. It was like a summer camp but all year round. They met twice a week, played dodgeball and other games and acivities, had drill practice. Held field trips and other weekend activities. I was a Blue Jacket almost 20 years ago.
posted by ace at 4:02 PM
49 Comments:
This was a very nice club or organization such as the boy scouts. If I remember well the activities were held at the old courthouse on 44th street and 4th avenue in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. They participated in parades and community activities. It was like a summer camp but all year round. They met twice a week, played dodgeball and other games and acivities, had drill practice. Held field trips and other weekend activities. I was a Blue Jacket almost 20 years ago.
Thank you, brooklynpity
I was a BlueJacket from about 1979 to 1986. Back then, the activities were held in a public school. I believe the school was either P.S.94, or or P.S69. Which were very close to the headquarters office on Seventh Avenue.
I originally started in the Color Guard and eventually got onto the band. The band was the coolest group in the BlueJackets at that time. The band was exempt from many of the drilling activities, since they had to practive their songs. I recall selling boosters on the Subway, and the highest booster sellers went up to Camp Alert in upstate, NY during the summer. I spent two summers in Camp alert. I also recall marching in numerous parades around the country,Puerto Rican Day, Veteran's Day, etc..
I also recall the BlueJackets Guard held an awards ceremony every year in Floyd Bennet Field.
I have to assume Captain Rice has passed on about now.
I was also a Blue Jacket back in 1988. I was part of the marching band and practiced at the 44th street court house. It was a great community club for young boys and I remember it fondly. Recruits came to my elementary school (PS 169) and I begged my mother to join.
I was also a Blue Jacket back in 1988. I was part of the marching band and practiced at the 44th street court house. It was a great community club for young boys and I remember it fondly. Recruits came to my elementary school (PS 169) and I begged my mother to join.
i was associated with the bluejackets captain rice did pass and it was taken over by Mr. General and Mr. Spencer who has recently passed i was a detail commander and i also was in the band my whole family was involved in the bluejackets and i am still friends with several people who were involved in the bluejackets they were thinking of opening it again but funding and volunteers weren't available i still have communication with Mr. General and he still has headquarters i think that would be a great program to reinstate in brooklyn again
Enrolled 1968 - 1979 when I then enlisted in the US Navy. Was band major and wore the midshipmen uniform. Loved Camp Alert and the outtings, parades especially commaradeeship. Retired after serving 20 years Navy. The Bluejacket Guard was by far the best youth organization of it's period. We need a reunion. Salutes are in order for Captain Rice, Mr. General, Mr.Spencer, Mr. Talada, Mrs. Davis, and Mr. Scarentino with our Marine counterpart.
I read all six previous comments and can attest to all. What a great experience. I'm in constant contact with Raymond Samaria who enrolled in 1967.
If anyone remembers John Benitez, e-mail at johnnyb357@cox.net.
I belong to the Bluejackets in the 70's, I missed it alot.
I look forward to hearing from you dan@goldcoastchronicle.com.
You can visit my website: www.goldcoastchronicle.com
I was a blue jacket back in the 70's,I believe it was in 76. I remember Capt Rice. I can't remember for sure, but I thought the meetings were some where on Nostrand ave in Brooklyn. We would have drill practice a couple of times a week and march in parades. I was supposed to go the the Camp in the summer, but I broke my leg and my mother would let me go! A girl by the name of carole got me into to it. She was a little older then me.
Hello All,
I previously mentioned I was in the band. I actually remember you John. I just moved back to Park Slope a few months ago. I don't know if anyone has heard this little story over the years. I was at Camp Alert during the summer of 1980 or 1981. Several of my barracks mates decided to have a blanket party on one of the guys one evening. You know the blanket parties involved throwing blankets and pillows on the target who was usually sleeping. Well, I really did not like one particular person, our detail leader. So I suggested having a blanket party on the detail leader, and we did it one night. The following morning the detail leader was so pissed off at the rest of us. Just after breakfast One of the other kids said something to the detail leader about parties. The detail leader snapped and picked up a knife and tried to stab one of the kids and one of the officers. The officer disarmed him. Obviously, the detail leader was sent home immediately, and was kicked out of the Guard. I was made the detail leader for the rest of the summer.
I never forgot that incident. So if that kid is all grown up, and not incarcerated. If you are out there, I am really sooooo, sorry.
I can be reached at davidpagan@hotmail.com :)
I WAS IN THE BLUEJACKETS FROM 1968-70 LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT
I was in the Guard late 50's. early 60's. I remember the military style training.. Uniforms like the Navy. I remember the call...left flank, right flank, double to the rear with a right step, left step, double to the rear...front back double to the rear...etc. We marched with unloaded rifles while doing cadence. We always marched in the Norwegien Day Parade. OMG where do the years go. Such great memories growing up in sunset park.
i was a bluejacket since 1970 from ps 105 and ft hamilton detachment, joined the band in the 80s and did color guard too.. also this group is the best organization in nyc.. i wish they come back for the new batch of kids we have today..also i made 40 years doing cadets. so bluejackets made me what i am today..
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I was a cadet from 84 to about 87 or 88.....i lied about my age to get in....LOL I was only nine yrs. old. Yes to someone's comment about Capt. Rice he did pass the General tried to take over but after that I lost track. Good times and positive role models kept me off the street. Now I am a working mom and wish there were organizations like this for my 13 yr. old
I was just cleaning my garage and came across my grandfather's business card for the Bluejackets Guard. He was a Lt. Commander and I also have a dress sword that he left to me. He lived on 68th St. in Brooklyn. The card also says "Paymaster" on it. His name was Abraham Grossman. I think this was from 1937.
I was just cleaning my garage and came across my grandfather's business card for the Bluejackets Guard. He was a Lt. Commander and I also have a dress sword that he left to me. He lived on 68th St. in Brooklyn. The card also says "Paymaster" on it. His name was Abraham Grossman. I think this was from 1937.
I was just cleaning my garage and came across my grandfather's business card for the Bluejackets Guard. He was a Lt. Commander and I also have a dress sword that he left to me. He lived on 68th St. in Brooklyn. The card also says "Paymaster" on it. His name was Abraham Grossman. I think this was from 1937.
Good morning... I was a Blue Jackets cadet in the 90s with my sister. Not long after I became Captain of the color guard & my sister joined the band & played the bells. Great times!
Good morning... I was a Blue Jackets cadet in the 90s with my sister. Not long after I became Captain of the color guard & my sister joined the band & played the bells. Great times!
I was also in the BlueJacket Guard, back in the mid to late 80's...Louis York. I was in the band and plyed the xylophone.
my grandmother is the 7th ave blue jackets office is the landlord
I was a blue jacket in 1972 ,school was ps177
On ave p in Brooklyn off McDonald ave .
Lot of drilling and we marched in a few parads .
We also got to aee the nacy bace in Philadelphia
Went into a submarine.
Great memories. John M
I was a blue jacket in 1972 ,school was ps177
On ave p in Brooklyn off McDonald ave .
Lot of drilling and we marched in a few parads .
We also got to aee the nacy bace in Philadelphia
Went into a submarine.
Great memories. John M
I was in Windsor terrace detachment around 1970 to 1973. Also went to camp alert upstate was a lot of fun
I was in the Bluejackets Guard back in 1948 and 1949. I was in the Bay Ridge Detachment in Brooklyn. I still have my 1949 photo it was Cadet Marinette Division. We did a lot of competition marching with other divisions. The date on the photo is 1/20/1949.
I still have my dummy rifle that we used.
I was in from 86 till about 89, sold boosters like crazy on the ferry with Longo. All over Brooklyn too. I also went to camp alert and still have the shell from when I was selected to fire the cannon. Remember the lake 3 finger Willy and burning garbage. Unsweetened ice tea and hot cocoa. The wreck house and water pump. It was the greatest time of my life. Played bells became a seamen apprentice. Marched under Omar Smith. Richie kodra was my neighbor and helped teach me the ways. We did meet out of the old courthouse and the band rocked it. We impressed everyone at the parades and had the respect of many. Captain rice and his family really held it together for a while. It’s too bad we couldn’t get enough volunteers and or funding to bring it back and help create the discipline some kids need nowadays.
I was a bluejackets from 91 to 98 i was a band major in the colorguard and my rank was Petty officer 3rd class Garcia i remember capitán rice commander general camander tollata r.i.p and LT longo and everyone from the court house yall know who you are
I was not in the Bluejackets. But I was born and raised in the 60's/70's on 7th Ave between 52nd and 53rd street in Brooklyn where the Bluejackets had one of their Headquarters. I remember being impressed when they would roll up on a Saturday in an amphibious vehicle and the group would go through drills on the sidewalk commanded by a big older gentleman with a birthmarked purple splotched face. It was surreal!
You must remeber my sister Tricia, we were both in the BlueJackets
Was there the same years with my sister Tricia and my guy Ivan
I was a cadet from 71 till 73 we marched at ps131 on 43rd street. The names I recall were Coffe, Rahrer, weazel,anaruma,Spencer,Rodriguez. Camp alert was fun..mister jetty was the driver and I was in charge of washing captain rices continental.
I was a member of guard from 73 thru 75, Bayridge detachment. I have many fond memories. Marched in many parades in NY and other parts of the east coast.I was always proud to sport my blues. I remember Capt. Rice, great role model. RIP Capt.
Me too
Yea I remember coffe brothers met them at camp
Yea I was at prospect ave and seventh park slope detachment and went to camp too for two summers
I was a member in the late 60s Lt Halverson was Bayridge commander. Joined the band with the Coffee Brothers Jack And Bobby Parsons Benitez Samaria Meldrum
My Cousins and I were members in the mid 60's with Capt Rice and LT Halverson. My cousins were Arthur,Paulie and Betty Mulqueen.
I remember another BlueJackey, last name "Premont"/ another one "Crispy"..Good Organization!!!
My dad was in the Blue Jackets in 1942, he passed away in 1963.
I was a blue jacket in the early 1960’s and remember Captain Rice. I Remember our drill “ Right step, left step double to the rear by your Right Flank, Left Flank, double to the rear, Parade Rest, Attention, Forward March Four Steps and then Repeat”
joacbat@aol.com
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I was blue jacket with my brother Robert, my cousin Angel and one my friends had been a blue jacket. The drills was fun and training was pretty fun. Lately this time I spent hanging out and training has been crossing my mind a lot. I will say it not as clear I as I like to remember. A lot of it has been getting a bit hazzy. All I know I was there.
Papito and Everyone,
I think we are all proud that we were "The Blue Jacket's Guard"
Dan Delaney
a friend of mine told me once that young people can get forget things too.... Ever since MAC told me this I realized he was right when it comes to that part of my being a blue jacket....I pretty much lost all my memories of this time in my life during and bit after all the fun training. When I try and trust me I try to recall it all, I can not. it sad. it breaks my heart on how I can not recall anything for some reason.... I do not know why, but I guess it is for a good reason. I just was I did not feel so hunted my memories From 1987 thur 1989.
Your still a good person and many blessings to you, my friend.
I was part of the Blue Jackets Guard back in the mid 80’s when they came to my public school to recruit and was able to convince my mother to let me join, I enjoyed it a lot and had to work at home with my chores to have money to pay my dudes, I grew and was able to get a spot on the band was someone let and got to go to parades in upstate and out of state, I remember we got invited to play for a senator in New Jersey that was running for office. Can not forget Bianco (band leader, DJ also), Ortiz, Rivera, Gonzalez and his mother, CAPT. Rice and Mr. General….. had a great time, wish I can go back to the pass. Brooklyn NY!
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