WL grad goes to DC for the opportunity of a lifetime
by Sara Sedlacek · January 07, 2009

When B.J. Newcomb auditioned in 2005 for the Colts Youth Organization, a drum and bugle corp based in Dubuque, he didn’t really expect to be a part of history in the making. After four years, he has participated in many parades but the 2009 Inaugural Parade for the inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan. 20 will definitely top them all.

“I’m really excited,” Newcomb said. “I’ve been to Washington D.C. before but I’ve never marched in a parade for the president. There will be millions of people there! It’s going to be great!”

The Colts, for which Newcomb plays trumpet, was one of only 100 groups selected to participate in the Inaugural Parade which, according to Newcomb, might be a long one.

“It’s supposed to be a couple miles but it might be four miles now because they thought about lengthening it for all the people who will be there,” he said. “Luckily our uniforms are warm.”

The group received support from many individuals and organizations, including Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley, Representatives Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell and Gov. Chet Culver. Letters of recommendation and personal phone calls to the Inaugural Selection Committee were integral in the Colts’ invitation to perform.

“Just us and one other group from Des Moines are going from Iowa,” Newcomb said.

This was the first election in which Newcomb, a student at the University of Northern Iowa where he plays in the marching band, was old enough to vote and he said he is definitely excited for the opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“This is not something I’ll ever be able to do again,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect. I’m nervous. I’ve thought about [falling down] and that would be embarassing. We just got our music last week and it’s pretty complicated. We pretty much have to learn it in a week.”

The Colts are heading to DC by bus Jan. 17 and will return Jan. 21. They’re going a couple days early so they can practice as a group and practice formations. Each Colt member filled out a survey and released their Social Security Numbers for a complete background check, which they must pass before being allowed to perform. The group will most likely spend the nights at a military base or high school gym.

Each member of the Colts paid $250 for the trip but the group is still asking for donations. To donate to the Colts for their trip to the Inaugural Parade, visit www.colts.org.