Lancers salute

All you need to know about the Mankato Area 77 Lancers took place in the summer of 2008, the year before this, when I was covering my first preseason training camp for the Lancers parade season.
It's called Spat Camp (can't remember why) and encompasses musical, physical and mental training. Practice, march, exercise, eat, repeat - that's the general theme of events at Spat Camp, which is held at Dakota Meadows Middle School the first week after school lets out and goes for more than 12 hours a day.
About 100 kids from all over the region participate in Spat Camp, but several parents are also on hand to sew and repair uniforms, make sure kids are hydrated, etc.
While chatting with parents during my first visit to camp in 2008, a lone student ambled into the room with his head tilted mysteriously backward.
When asked about this curious cranial position, the student lowered his chin to answer - but before the words could escape, gushing blood from his nose answered for him.
The student had tripped during a marching exercise and bashed his beak. No broken bones, but plenty of flow.
While a half-dozen parents scrambled for gauze and smelling salts and sewing kits, this unfortunate young Lancer calmly waited, fingers pinching at the nostrils. I asked him how he felt and he responded: "Late for practice."
No kidding.
Since then, that's my image of the Lancers. Dedication and commitment to success - even while your nose is bleeding.
And this year is no different. In addition to winning grand champion at the Jefferson City (Mo.) Parade on its recent performance swing through Missouri, the Lancers have been rated top marching band at several parades and are ranked in the state's top three.
The Lancers have a rich tradition, and this year is another for books.
NOTE: The Lancers hold their final performances of the season on Tuesday (8:15 p.m. at Sibley Park) and Sunday (7 p.m. at the Alltel Center).