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WHERE OUR LEGACY BEGAN - 1985

In April 1985, a group of Marine Corps musicians came together with a shared vision: to create an organization that would keep former Marine musicians connected long after their military service ended. The meeting was met with enthusiasm, and plans were made to establish an annual reunion to bring these musicians together in fellowship and camaraderie.

The Retired Marine Corps Musicians Association was born, and its first officers were elected to serve until the inaugural annual reunion in 1986.

What began as a gathering of former Marines with a common musical bond would grow into the Marine Corps Musicians Association—a community dedicated to preserving Marine Corps music history, honoring its traditions, and sustaining the lifelong connections forged through service.


More than an organization, it was the beginning of a legacy built on music, service, and brotherhood.

 

First Board

The first Annual Reunion was held in April 1986 at Parris Island. The following officers were voted as officers.

President - Charles Pearson, Vice President - Joseph Masse, Secretary - Carl Bermender Treasurer - Stephen Litchey, Trustee - Robert Griswold, Trustee - Peter Raubinger, Trustee - Thomas Barlow



BUILDING A NATIONWIDE BROTHERHOOD

The first Annual Reunion was held in April 1986 at Parris Island. The following officers were voted as officers.

President - Charles Pearson, Vice President - Joseph Masse, Secretary - Carl Bermender Treasurer - Stephen Litchey
Trustee - Robert Griswold, Trustee - Peter Raubinger, Trustee - Thomas Barlow


At the first reunion, members recognized the potential for growth and discussed alternating future reunions between the East Coast and West Coast as membership increased. The 1987 reunion at Camp Lejeune marked another step forward, with members voting to approve minor amendments to the Articles and Regulations.


A defining moment came at the 1988 reunion in New Orleans, when the organization changed its name from the Retired Marine Corps Musicians Association to the Marine Corps Musicians Association. This change broadened membership to include all former Marine musicians who had served in a Marine Corps musical unit—whether as Bandsmen, Bugle Corps members, Field Musicians, Bagpipers, Fifers, Drummers, or in other musical specialties.

More than a name change, this decision helped unite East Coast and West Coast members into one organization, strengthening the bonds of a shared musical heritage and Marine Corps service.


In 1989, the reunion moved to San Diego, drawing the largest attendance in the Association's history to that point. The growing turnout reflected the promise of a unified organization and laid the groundwork for the generations of Marine musicians who would follow.