The Avant Garde Alumni Drumline was formed by
two former members
of the Avant Garde Jr. Drum &
Bugle Corps based in Saratoga County, New York.
The Corps' used a yin-yang as its symbol, its colors being dark green
and black and the alumni drumline plans to continue these traditions.
Countdown to our next performance - please visit our Schedule
page for details...
This
website is dedicated Mr. Chet Zabek -
one of the founders of the Avant Garde Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps
who passed away on November 29, 2008.
Mr. Zabek graduated from Keveny
Memorial Academy in Cohoes in 1964.
He joined the U.S. Army on Oct. 7, 1966, serving as a sergeant
during the Vietnam War.
He received the Purple Heart for his heroism on Jan. 31, 1968,
when he was conducting reconnaissance
onboard a low-flying helicopter that faced intense ground fire.
Along with both pilots and a gunner, he was wounded, but he
returned fire,
retrieved ammunition and administered first aid to the other
wounded in the helicopter.
For his actions, he also received the Air Medal for Heroism, the
Vietnam Service Medal,
the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Following his discharge, Mr. Zabek was
employed at General Electric Co. in Schenectady
as an instrument technician for more than 30 years until his
retirement in 1999.
He married Suzanne K. Rosenberg on
June 18, 1989 in Saratoga Springs. The couple has resided in
Porter Corners for 19 years.
He was an active member of the First
United Methodist Church of Corinth,
serving as trustee and financial officer, and was a member of
the Corinth Dollars for Scholars program.
Mr. Zabek was active with the
Interstatesmen Drum and Bugle Corps in Troy and Pittsfield,
Mass.
as a drummer for several years
and was a founding member of the
AVANT GARDE Drum and Bugle Corps
where he served as percussion caption head for several years.
He was active with his children’s
activities, coaching hockey and attending their many events.
Mr. Zabek enjoyed traveling, fishing,
boating and most of all, spending time with his family.
In the photo Below
Mr. Zabek is seen working Avant Garde's snare line
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