Last night was a very special night for anybody who has ever been involved with the Phantom Regiment organization. For 52 years, Phantom Regiment has been one of the top drum and bugle corps in the activity, but has always seemed to be the bridesmaid corps. Before last night, Regiment has won only one world championship, that was in 96 and it was a tie for first place. It took 52 years for us to get one of our very own.

Nobody comes to Phantom Regiment to win, and that is one thing that makes this very special. I auditioned for Regiment in 2005, after they finished fifth in 2004. I auditioned because I absolutely loved the music product that the corps has put out year after year, and the how their shows have made me feel emotionally. When I was accepted as a member, it was one of the best days of my life, I was on cloud 9, just to be part of this organization was unbelievable. And even though I didn't think us winning was impossible, I didn't think it would happen, thats not why I joined this corps. In 2005 we finished third, and in 2006 we contended for the world championship. I remember towards the end of the 2006 season, when we were gaining on the leaders, how badly I wanted to win. It was not my reason for being there, but I knew a win for the 2006 regiment would not be just for the 2006 regiment, it would be for anybody who has ever been part of the organization, for everybody who stuck with the corps through the toughest years, and that is what drove me. We ended up in 2nd place at finals, story of our lives! But the show was a crowd favorite and it was clear that we were one of the top dogs again, the season was a success.

the 2008 Phantom Regiments world championship was definitely all theirs, but I would bet a million bucks that they all felt how I did in 2006. A world championship not only for them but for 52 years of Phantom Regiment Alumni, Staff, Volunteers, Phans and Supporters.

It was an absolutely surreal, incredible night. Whent he Blue Devils were announced in 2nd place, the croud erupted, I couldn't help but hug the fellow regiment alum next to me, and my eyes tear'd up, but I fought really hard to hold it in :). It was a feeling I cannot even put into words, I felt like I had won the championship, and in a way I guess we all did. It was great to gather on the 50 yardline, halfway up the stands with a bunch of regiment alumni, people who I had marched with, some who have marched years before, and the year after, we were all one for that moment, as we watched and cheered on our corps perform their championship encore performance, and put our hands on each-others shoulders as they played Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral.

TO THE 2008 PHANTOM REGIMENT:

THANK YOU! Your program 'Spartacus' has been described as epic, and that is the perfect word for it. Even if you would not have won, what you put on the field on Finals, and for the whole season was a masterpiece, an epic, and one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and heard. Thank you for your performance, thank you being Phantom Regiment, and thank you for bringing justice to this corps! In the comming years, the corps may win many more championships, or may never win another. Whatever happens, your championship will always be a special one. Congratulations Regiment, I am so prould of you guys, and so prould to have been part of the organization. I know it will take a while to sink in, it still hasn't for me and I wasn't even in the corps this year! YOU ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS


SUTA