Few things have caught the attention of the drum corps arena as much as the courageous struggle for survival waged by Jason Harmon Lowe. Jason was not only an inspiration throughout his almost yearlong battle with cancer, but he epitomized the type of young adult that drum corps creates.

Thanks to his love of computers, Jason became well known in drum corps chat rooms and on the drum corps newsgroup. Over the last three years, his wit, satire and barbs have become famous. He made literally thousands of friends throughout every aspect of drum corps - both young and old.

Jason marched in 1999 with the Appleton, Wisconsin Americanos and in 2000 with the Spirit of Atlanta. He was multi-talented, playing both percussion and his beloved mellophone. He was also a drum instructor for the South Cobb, GA High School Band.

Throughout much of the 2000 season, Jason struggled with what everyone believed was a back injury. He managed to persevere through the back pains and complete the season at DCI in Maryland. Shortly after the season, he was diagnosed with cancer.

With the support of a great dad in Donnie Lowe and his sister Diana, Jason was determined to overcome this dreaded disease. They chose the most aggressive treatments possible. Both he and his family refused to accept defeat. Long hospital stays and out of the area treatments made the battle a difficult one for the entire family.

When it became obvious that touring for his age-out season would be impossible, Jason became more determined than ever to march drum corps again. The CorpsVets of Atlanta Senior Corps offered him the opportunity to play percussion. With relatively few appearances and only weekend rehearsals, Jason saw this as the vehicle to prove that he could overcome and perform in uniform again.

He was, immediately adopted by his new Corps. They became his second family. Along with his many friends from Spirit, they gave him complete support against tremendous odds. While the doctors were telling his Dad of the futility of it all, he was being fitted for a uniform. When they told his Dad that he should be looking into hospice care, he was learning tympani parts. When they told the family that the end was near, he was on the field performing.

Yes, both in June at the Jacksonville exhibition and at the July 25th Kennesaw, GA DCI show, Jason was on the field performing in uniform with CorpsVets. No matter what the inevitable outcome was, Jason had - in refusing to give in to the disease - become the true drum corps winner that he had always dreamed of being. He had captured the hearts of the drum corps world. He had become the hero of thousands.

During those last few days, when the end was in sight, Jason had his Spirit friends close by his side. Ginger and Alan Armstrong from Spirit Alumni were with him often. Alan had arranged a piece for Spirit to play called "With Quiet Courage" (for Jason). The corps learned it and played it. He knew that soon he would just go to sleep and not awaken. When this happened, he still wanted to have drum corps buzzing through his head. He had the Armstrong's bring him a CD of Spirit playing his "Courage" ballad and each time he felt the need to doze off, he would listen to the sounds of Spirit playing his special song. He wanted it to be the last thing he heard and it was.

No fiction writer could have written the script that was about to be a reality. On Wednesday, August 8th, many of us knew that the end was near. The phone didn't ring early. He had survived another night. Myself, I figured there was no way he was leaving until he knew who won DCI, but fate intervened. At 6:10PM that evening, my cell phone rang just moments after Spirit had left the field in their Quarterfinals performance. It was Ginger Armstrong asking me to let Spirit and all his friends know that he was on his way to Buffalo. Jason's suffering and courageous battle had ended just as his beloved Spirit was taking the field.

Most of us choose to believe that Jason was on the field that evening with Spirit. It was a fitting conclusion to a life that had become totally engrossed in the drum corps activity. In all my 50 years in drum corps, I have never met a drum corps kid as passionate about corps as Jason Lowe.

I only met Jason once at CorpsVets rehearsal in June, but I felt like he was my best friend. The internet may often be accused of being cold and impersonal, but Jason took it to new levels. His communications skills and personality enabled him to make friends from coast to coast and even in other nations. His courage and determination have guaranteed that none of those friends will ever forget him.

The outpouring of grief was evident throughout the stands in Buffalo at the DCI Championships. People who had never met him in person stood there crying when the news spread. People descended on anyone wearing a CorpsVets or Spirit jacket to give their condolences. DCI recognized Jason publicly at the semi-finals and read a brief tribute and had a moment of silence for him.

Upwards of a dozen tribute sites have been created on the internet by both his friends and people who just felt the need to do it. Thousands of posts on the newsgroup have told of their friendship and love for Jason. Many have shared anecdotes of their communications with him. Someone even found the first post he ever made on the internet and re-posted it as a memorial to him. A Canadian drum corps performer wrote a very touching poem dedicated to him - which his Dad is having read at his memorial service.

Hopefully, all of this will help heal the tremendous void his family is feeling right now. The knowledge that in his all too brief life, their son and brother had touched so many and meant so much to even people who had never met him, is a tribute to his life. To Donnie Lowe and Diana Lowe, we thank you for sharing Jason with us, and hope that our remembrances of him will remain with you and console you. We grieve with you and will miss him, but - more importantly - we celebrate his life. We celebrate his love for the activity that brings us together - Drum Corps.

Jason Lowe may have started out last season as just another kid in Spirit, but he finished this season as a man among men in CorpsVets. His courage and determination allowed him to stand tall and give us just a brief glimpse of the wonderful adult that his father, sister and drum corps created. God bless him and keep him close, Jason Harmon Lowe.

Jason Lowe Memorial Fund

On August 18th, a memorial service for Jason Lowe was held at Legion Park in Austell, GA. His family and friends joined to celebrate his life. Many members of Spirit and CorpsVets joined in a fitting tribute.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the
"Jason Lowe Memorial Fund"
C/O CorpsVets Drum Corps
2250 Chesire Bridge Rd. #320
Atlanta, GA 30324

Proceeds will be used to both assist in final expenses and establish a scholarship in his memory…