THE PHANTOM FORCE

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 251

Hope you don’t mind, but I’m gonna hit y’all with a bit more nostalgia tonight.

Side note: It was an absolute blast reading and engaging with your Facebook comments from last night’s post. Heh. I tripped a bunch of you up with a little rope-a-dope, didn't I? As they say at Chick-fil-A: “My pleasure.”

Alright, down to business. A little less than five weeks ago, my nightly column showcased my nerdiness in full, unfiltered detail. I was school-boy giddy about the start of the 2026 Drum Corps International (DCI) season. It’s a band nerd thing, for the uninitiated.

If you’re scratching your head again (and I’ve caught a bunch of you doing exactly that lately), let me spell it out: drum and bugle corps—or just drum corps—is marching band on Schwarzenegger-level steroids. Earning one of the 150 coveted slots in these premier global ensembles is grueling enough on its own, but the competition to be crowned the annual champion? Fierce doesn't even begin to cover it. Yes, I call it a "sport" with total seriousness. And this evening is the championship.

Tonight is the night that every corps—and every kid marching in one—has prepared for since the curtain dropped on last season. This evening, they will put it all on the line and hold absolutely nothing back. The performances, as always, won't just wow; they will melt faces.

And then, it’ll be over.

What’s more, for the “age-outs”—those performers who have reached 22 years of age—this is it. For those who can never march again in a “Junior” corps, tonight is their final hurrah... unless.

Life after 22 in the drum corps world usually leaves you with three options:

• Option 1: The Ultimate Flex. You join the USMC after earning a highly sought-after position in The Commandant’s Own U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps

• Option 2: The Weekend Warriors. You join a “senior corps”—an opportunity to party on and perform with a bunch of folks who just love the activity too much to let it go.

• Option 3: The Rare Eclipse. Once in a blue moon, the stars align. A long-standing corps will celebrate a major milestone and field a massive alumni corps.

This year, the Phantom Regiment (out of Rockford, Illinois) did that very thing.

From all walks of life, spanning from their 20s to their 80s, 550 Regiment alumni gathered throughout the year. They rehearsed, got fitted for new uniforms and horns, and then traveled from every corner of the globe to Indianapolis to take the field together one last time.

Danielle and I—along with thousands upon thousands of fans around the world—watched with tears in our eyes, cheering them on. They were, quite literally, a “Phantom Force” to behold.

Here's a link to the video. It's a bit long, but watch a bit and enjoy their joy:

https://youtu.be/4l_xlpbnjgM?si=BdLnRrCxTVEiKDRS

On Any Given Sunday (Or Saturday Night) — As I finish writing tonight’s post, the DCI World Championships are about to begin. The Top 12 corps in the world are going head-to-head. Five hours from now, a new champion will be crowned. All of us drum corps nuts will be watching, collectively holding our breath.

One corps has remained undefeated all season, a force all their own. But as it is with any championship competition, anything is possible on the final night. Will it be the Blue Devils from Concord, California? The Phantom Regiment? Or the undefeated Bluecoats from Canton, Ohio (or any of other nine?)

While we all have our favorites, I find myself overwhelmingly thankful for the village that invests so much into these kids. I'm grateful for the instructors and coaches, the myriads of volunteers, the exhausted parents, and the hundreds of thousands of fans who cheer them on—including that Phantom Force who took the field last night with total joy and gratitude.

Some of these kids will become future music educators. And from what I’ve seen in life, most will become incredibly upstanding citizens in our great nation. I thank God for all of them. They put joy in our hearts, and they stand as a living, breathing reminder of what true excellence looks like.

What are you thankful for tonight?