THEEagles Elite


CONTINUES COLOR GUARD TRADITION


The Eagles Elite, from left, back row: Elaine Jones, Michelle Moon, Katie Cordova, Barbara Brandt, Dianna Simmons, Megan Will and Kristin Wallace; front row, Shannon Miller and Melodi Davies.


T


here’s something beautiful and stately about a twirling rifle. The hiss of air with every rotation, the snap of the palm against wood. It’s an old and respected military tradition that dates back to the Revolutionary War. From there it developed into everything from high school marching bands with twirling batons to Junior ROTC groups with razor- sharp precision. Color Guards today come in all shapes, sizes and ages. For the Eagles Elite of Auxiliary 5691, Collinsville, Illinois, it’s always been about more


than winning competitions, like say, the VFW National Competition at National Convention. Which they did win...seven times. Instead, it’s about family and teamwork.


Captain Barbara Brandt has been leading the Eagles Elite since 1996, when it was a junior team and the team was young.


“I started as a baton twirler, but at a state fair, I saw a military drill


“It’s about 30 LADIES AUXILIARY VFW MAGAZINE


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