Frank (NMI) Grossmann, son of Frank Henry Grossmann and Caroline Edith Biermann , grandson of Frank Max and Mary Elizabeth Mame Grossmann and great-grandson of Frank and Louisa Reis Grossmann, was born April 7, 1924 in Brooklyn. He married Helen J. Holzhauer , born April 30, 1923, the daughter of Frank & Martha Benson Holzhauer and granddaughter of Hilma Benson on August 16, 1944.
Frank's mother, Caroline Edith Biermann Grossmann was Presbyterian-Lutheran. He recalls her frequently being upset that his grandmother Mame would take Uncle Warren (Leonard W. Grossmann) and himself to the Blessed Sacrement Catholic Church in Brooklyn. They were about the same age. Father Kielly was in charge of the parish. Warren used to kid around a lot, he says. They were like brothers.
Frank served in theUS Navy. He was assigned to the USS DeHaven (pictured below) in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered to the Navy September 2, 1945.
Helen worked for the County of Nassau in OLD BETHPAGE, VILLAGE RESTORATION, a part of the County Museum program. (She is standing near fence pictured in a brochure at left). Old Bethpage village depicts a pre-Civil War rural Long Island village.
At Old Bethpage authentic furishings, buildings, crafts and activities combine to provide an unexcelled insight into the mood, appearance, and life style of a typical Long Island village as America was developing as a great nation.(Dept of Rec & Parks)
Old Bethpage village restoration is in eastern Nassau County about 37 miles east of New York City, approximately at the geographic center of Long Island. The entrance on Round Swamp Road is north of Bethpage State park and Farmingdale. Check out the website. The photography is awesome.
Helen Holzhauer Grossmann grew up on Hemlock Street in Brooklyn, across the street from her future husband. They have three children, Christine Helen, Dolores Marie and Thomas Frank.
THE COLONIAL ANCIENT FIFE & DRUM CORPS
Bethpage, New York
Butehorn Brothers VFW Post 4987 of Bethpage formed a Fife, Drum & Bugle Corp consisting of young children who played marching music. At some point it was disbanded and in 1958 they were restored as The Bethpage Colonials and Frank Grossmann was appointed the director. It was an active parent-sponsored group and under the direction of Mr. Grossmann flourished, traveling to many locations in the United States and included a trip to Dublin, Ireland where the Corps participated in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
It consisted of children 8 years and up who learned music playing fifes and drums. Those that did not want to play an instrument joined the Color Guard or Drum Major. They were taught by qualified instructors; some of them belonging to the MinuteMen Fife & Drum Corp of Long Island (some of their children were in the Corp).
Colonial Ancient Fife & Drum Corps originated in the early part of our history. The marching cadence was 110 (the same as the bag pipe bands of today and the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps of the US Army). This enabled our foot soldiers to march many miles. Many tunes were played on the fifes, providing them rhythm to march to. This included Rally Around The Flag, Road To Boston, and Yankee Doodle. The songs and tunes numbered in the hundreds, all with the Ancient beat. Instruments were wood fifes and rope tension drums, color guards, flag bearers, muskets. All the particulars used then are still in use today.
Achievements & Appearances:
Made a recording for the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation. Buddy Ebsen narrated a story about the Freedom Fighters. The Colonials provided the background music as he quoted the Bill of Rights and at the end the Corps played The Star Spangled Banner. Our logo and the name Bethpage appeared on the screen and was distributed throughout the country. Many members continued in the music world. Some went on to serve in the military, become doctors, nurses, and policemen. Some married within the corps and their children are now in the organization.
Led the famous Gasperilla Pirate Parade in Tampa Florida in 1966.
Appeared 4 times in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They once put on a show at Macy's which was featured on national television!
Featured at the New York World's Fair 1964-65. They worked the Continental Insurance Pavilion providing weekend appearances. Recordings were played weekdays.
Played for the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Plaza Hotel in New York twice.
Frank Grossmann received Citizenship Award on behalf of the Corps from the Sons Of The American Revolution.
They were at a political rally for presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon.
Played the Star Spangled Banner at the opening of a New York Giants-New England Patriots game at Shea Statium.
Played a muster of many Colonial ancient Fife & Drum Corps. The host corps was the US Army, the Old Guard fife & Drum Corp, the Third United States Infantry (Pershings Own). Later four of Bethpage Colonials joined this famous corps including Tom Grossmann, Thor Abrahmson, Tom Shea, and gus Baabe (in war & peace time). Note: Musters are meetings of many Ancient Fife & Drum Corps. When they get together they play the same tunes using the proper rudiments and authentic fifes.
Marched in many Bethpage parades. At Ancient Fife & Drum competitions they were awarded first place in individual and full corps playing. The Corps at one time could field 3; a senior, a junior and a novice corps. At one point the Corps topped 100 members. They were taught to be patriotic, respectful, and a great American.
The Bethpage Colonials members went from children to adults and were all a credit to this town. I will list a few family names: Steubing, Grossmann, Kunzig, Shea, Christie, Cornwell, Gabbola, Lakis, Curly, Flynn, Essex, Holzhauer, Musgrave, Weisgerber, Culkin, Urhan, Zampino, Gish, McKay, McGeary, Lewis, Troendle, Chalmers, Kruszewski, Cloonan, Budd, Paschke, Connoly, Degnal, Ringwald, Warnken, and Fogerty. (Note: Bud Steubing and Frank Grossmann are still members of the Butehorn Brothers Post 4987 VFW, Bethpage NY.) --- Courtesy:Frank Grossmann