The Beginning

The Fusileers Fife & Drum Corps was organized in 1981 by the Union Vale Fire Department to accompany them in local parades. Their first public appearance was Memorial Day of that year.
The corps hosted its first muster in June 1982 at the Union Vale Town Park, in conjunction with the town’s community day. The Corps moved the Muster to Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, and to the Village of Millbrook in 1985.
After the bombing of the Marines in Beirut, Oct., 1983 the Corps organized a program and raised funds to send over 1,000 packages to our servicemen there. Shortly after, the Corps assisted in raising funds for a local resident’s heart transplant. The Corps raised approximately $20,000 toward the $100,000 operation which was fittingly performed on Valentines Day.
Over the years the Fusileers have appeared at numerous Revolutionary War sites throughout the Hudson Valley, such as The New Windsor Cantonment, Washington’s Headquarters, Mount Guilian, and at Stony Point Battlefield. In addition the Corps has participated in the Reenactments of the “return of The Colours to New York” and escorted President George Washington (A.K.A. Hamilton Fish) as he read his inaugural speech in the Town of Washington.
During Desert Storm the Corps continued its support of the
U.S. Armed Forces by sponsoring support rallies and sending packages to area service people serving in the Gulf War. The Corps had the honor of greeting some of these heroes as they arrived home. After September 11th, 2001 the corps had organized with the help of local businesses and radio stations truckloads of support items for rescue
Efforts in NYC.
The Corps has appeared at Walt Disney World’s, Magic Kingdom fvie times, Epcot Center four times, and in 1991 they were honored to be the first visiting Drum Corps to appear at the MGM Studios. On August 8th, 2002 the corps will make its sixth appearance at the Magic Kingdom
In 1988 and 1991 the Dutchess County Legislaturea honored the accomplishments of the Corps with commendations. In 1994 they received a letter of recognition from Mario Cuomo, then Governor of New York.
Today the Corps continues its support of the community and the members of the Armed Forces.

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