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HONORED–Seventeen members of the Tournament of Roses Band were given jackets in honor of their more than 25 years of participation in the band.
Perseverance has long been a characteristic of Salvationism, and no clearer representation of that is available than the persistence of 17 musicians honored by Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef and the Southern California Division.
Those marchers who had completed 25 years or more of participation in the Army’s Tournament of Roses Band were given jackets and saluted by all band members this year.
Three of the marchers have made the six-mile trek up Pasadena’s Colorado Blvd more than 50 times. They are: Harry Sparks, Santa Rosa; Fred Borkgren, Long Beach; and Robert Docter, Pasadena Tabernacle.
Those making the march over 25 years are: Gerry Brown, Tustin Ranch; Rick Sparks, Tustin Ranch; Bob Gregg, Pasadena Tabernacle; Fred Freeman, Tustin Ranch; Bob Ferguson, Riverside: Jim Wood, Pasadena Tabernacle; Margaret Arnold, Tustin Ranch; Helen Ridgewell, Tustin Ranch; Dave Ferguson Sr, Tustin Ranch; Ed Freeman, Tustin Ranch; Mike White, Torrance; Dave Imai, Tustin Ranch; Jack Ames, Tustin Ranch; and Bill Gordon, formerly Pasadena Tabernacle, now at Cariboo Hill, Vancouver, B.C.
Van Cleef said: “We need to have the largest band possible marching, proclaiming the good news of the Gospel, and these musicians have contributed mightily in sending that message around the world.”
