CITY COLLECTION: A FOR ASBURY PARK

A IS FOR ASBURY PARK. I once got to see the Newark Police Band participate in a parade at the Jersey Shore. It was in the City of Asbury Park.

Asbury has been called home by many famous people including Bud Abbott and Danny DeVito. The town is best known for its' wonderful boardwalk. It is world famous.

In 1934 Asbury Park's beaches made world news. It was on September 8Th that a luxury liner exploded off shore. One hundred thirty seven people died that day. At the time this was the largest, peace time, marine tragedy.

In September of this year the City of Asbury Park will mark the 75th anniversary of the S.S. Morro Castle beaching on its shoreline. The burning luxury liner attracted thousands of people looking for a memory.

I recall my father showing me a huge picture he took of the wrecked ocean liner. The picture is lost, but not my memory of it. The print was something like 10" x 18", and you had to roll it out on a table just to see the entire thing.

The above picture was found on line when researching this story. There are also some excellent photos of this tragedy which may be viewed on line at: www.asburyparklibrary.org/morrocastle/gallery

As a kid I recall staying overnight near, but not in, the famed Berkley Hotel. I enjoyed the thrill of walking 'the boards' and running on the beach looking at the ocean. The reason for one trip, in particular, to Asbury Park was to see my Dad, and the Newark Police Band. The group marched in a parade hosted by The City Of Asbury Park.

There are no pictures of that day, but I do have two that relate to the Newark Police Band. The first was from 1934. In this one my father is in the second Row, extreme left. The other picture was taken in the 1950's. My Dad is in the center of the three officers. It is his Police Band Badge also pictured with this article.

I liked parades back then. I liked seeing soldiers, tanks and fire engines roll down the street. I was thrilled to hear the bass drum give that sound that signaled that the N.P.D. Band was approaching and ready to play. The music was usually something by John Phillip Sousa. Regardless of the musical selection the presentation electrified the crowd. I can still hear it.

As they approached my eyes were surprised to see that the Drum Major, a giant of a man named "Cookie," was not in his usual position in front of the marching officers. Leading the band in this parade was a Drum Majorette! She was twirling a baton, and threw that thing a mile into the air. She then caught it without missing a step. This was a performance that made the crowd clap their hands and yell with approval.

These thoughts were dormant for many years until one day I found the pictured Asbury Park Badge for sale at a Badge Show in Coconut Creek, Fl. It's an older style badge that I have placed with badges from "Cities" in N.J.

There are twenty other "City" badges in that collection. This one is the first in alphabetical order. More important it is the daily reminder of some fine memories.