Oskaloosa native marches in Inauguration Parade

OSKALOOSA — One of Oskaloosa’s own marched in the Inaugural Parade on Tuesday. 

Derek Hessing, a 2007 Oskaloosa High graduate, joined other Colts Drum and Bugle Corps members throughout the country to experience first hand history being made. 

Hessing has spent the last three summers marching with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps as they traveled throughout the United States competing in Drum Crops International events. He is a sophomore at Drake University in Des Moines, majoring in music education/performance.

Early in December, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps received confirmation from the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that they had been selected to represent the state of Iowa in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

The Colts were one of several marching units from across the state that submitted a formal application to the AFIC in mid-November.

From Iowa Gov. Chet Culver’s letter of endorsement, he writes, “In 2007, I was pleased to name the Colts as Iowa’s Ambassadors of Music in recognition of their longstanding commitment to developing leadership in young people through challenging and highly demanding music programs.”

Iowa state Sen. Pam Jochum called Greg Orwoll, Colts executive director, with congratulations and well wishes upon hearing the announcement.

“Our inclusion in the Inaugural Parade is an incredible honor. We will be proud to represent the state of Iowa in this historic event,” Orwoll said.

U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley, Iowa’s 1st Congressional District Representative, wrote, “The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps would be a superb representative for our state. As one of the nation’s premier drum and bugle corps, they exhibit an extraordinary degree of musicianship and perform at a spectacular level.”

Letters of support were also submitted by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, U.S. Rep. Steve King, U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (Ill.), former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Murphy, along with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Dubuque Mayor Roy Buol, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque Community Schools Superintendent, Community Foundation of Dubuque and Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

Colts Drum and Bugle Corps members are from Dubuque, throughout Iowa, plus more than a dozen other states, and are traveling to Washington, D.C., in many ways.

Everyone convened on Sunday evening and they had their first music rehearsal for the parade then. A full day of rehearsal on Monday followed, and by Tuesday afternoon, they were ready to go.

The corps traveled with a total of 242 people, with 119 marching.

The estimated start time for the parade is 2:30 to 3 p.m., Eastern time, on Tuesday afternoon. The Colts are number 19 in the parade.

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