It's clear to anyone who knows Rick Reedy, that the Crossmen experience
was not only crucial in his own personal development, but it remains
crucial for the members who wear the Cross today and in the future.
As president of the Crossmen Alumni Association, Rick has been
one of the most influential alumni the Crossmen have ever produced.
His endless desire to ensure that the heritage of the corps is
preserved while passing on the legacy and traditions to each new
crop of Crossmen members each year has helped spearhead an alumni
movement that has grown and become more active with his direct
involvement.
Rick was a charter member of the 1975 Crossmen after
marching with the 507 Hornets. He marched for two seasons playing
tympani drum. After aging out in 1976, Rick came back as a volunteer
driver the next season. For the next seven years, he played an
active role on the staff of the corps as a marching instructor.
In 1983, his first child was born and he and his wife Donna decided
it would be best to take some much needed time off in order to
raise a family. That family would soon grow to four beautiful children,
Allie, Andrea, Danielle, and Ricky -- all of whom would eventually
march in drum corps.
In 1998, seeing
a need for more alumni involvement with the Crossmen, Rick set
out to reorganize the all but dormant Crossmen Alumni Association.
With a strong core group of volunteers at his side, he helped revitalize
the CAA and transform it into a viable and influential arm of the
Crossmen organziation. Rick has always set the prime example for
alumni and current Crossmen members in what it means to be a proactive
contributor and team member. Whatever needs to be done, you can
be sure Rick will be there to help. He volunteers at camps, at
local drum corps shows, and on tour with the corps. This is in
addition to his CAA duties as president where he presides over
monthly meetings and just about every social and fund raising event
in between.
In 2005, Rick was deservedly bestowed with the Crossmen's
highest honor, the Spirit of the Crossmen Award. This was in recognition
of his lifetime of selfless committment and dedication to the Crossmen
organziation, and one that was universally applauded by alumni
and current members alike. Even with his enduring time committments
to the Crossmen and the CAA, he has managed to remain active as
a teacher. He is currently a marching instructor, chairperson and
home show coordinator for the indoor and outdoor band programs
at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, PA.
Whether he is
helping serve dinner as a volunteer at a Crossmen camp, trying
to solicit contributions for the CAA, or sitting in the stands
with his wife Donna watching their kids perform as members of the
corps, the pride with which Rick carries himself remains a beacon
of inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to know him.
