WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Bonnie Brae Knights drum corps of Liberty Corner, New Jersey will be performing at President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Parade on January 20.  The Senator recently sent a letter of support on behalf of the group to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, who worked with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to select participating groups.

    “The Bonnie Brae Knights drum corps is one of the most talented groups in New Jersey.  Their story, their talent and their commitment to excellence landed them a tremendous honor – performing in President-elect Barack Obama’s Inauguration Parade.  I look forward to cheering them on and am honored that they will help represent New Jersey at this historic event,” Sen. Lautenberg said.

    The Presidential Inaugural Committee recently released their first round of selections of organizations that have been invited to participate in Barack Obama’s inaugural parade.   The Presidential Inaugural Committee received 1,382 applications this year and so far, 49 groups from across the country will take part.  Though the application submission deadline was two weeks ago, more performers are expected to be selected from the current applicant pool in the coming weeks.
   
    The Bonnie Brae Nights drum corps was established four years ago.  There are 12 in the group, and they are a drum line.  The style of music was initially modeled after a former member of the Bonnie Brae staff who was a drummer that played African beats.  The kids are 12 to 16 years old and they have performed in various settings, including the Wachovia Center before a 76ers game. 

    Bonnie Brae is one of the nation's preeminent therapeutic learning environments for adolescent boys who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned. True to its mission, the program at Bonnie Brae provides the opportunity to discover, develop, and maximize the skills necessary to become responsible young men. Since 1916, the program has been providing individualized treatment services to meet the unique needs of each youth.

# # #