The 1984 Olympic Band

Matt Vaska, David Rourke, Chris Greenwood, Andy VanDuyne, Tim Donahue, Elmer James,

Paul Vaska, Paul Santimaw, Bob Haggett, Bob Thorpe, David Flint, Darren LaGarry

Kneeling - John Wolfe, Chris Clark, Jamie Callahan, Kevin Murray, Lyle Camp, Roger Davis

 

From the Atlanta Journal - February 15, 1984

 

'Noting its hard not to be dazzled by all of the sledding and skating and skiing of the winter games, columnist Frances Cawthon said, "So, dispite all the thrills of these sports, the thing that sticks in my mind about the Olympics was seeing a bunch of fellows purposely striding forth, blowing their horns and sending the unexpected strains of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee' out into the frosty air of a Communist country."

Cawthon added, "You can talk all you want to about the importance of Americans bringing medals home, but the Norwood Volunteer Fire Band to me is what America is really about. And they're winners, even without the medals.

The Atlanta Journal columnist then gave a brief history of the Norwood Band and detailed the fund-raising efforts used to reach the $18,000 needed to send the band to Sarajevo. She also wrote about the band's impromptu concert following the opening ceremonies.

Cawthon concluded, "Like I say, I would like America to win all those medals, but I feel the moment that opening ceremony took place, the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department Band had already put us on top."

 

 

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