On February 8th, over 40 people gathered at HS Lordship’s Restaurant, in the Berkeley Marina for a surprise birthday party for Captain Josh Williams of the Local 10 drill team who turned 80 years old. The event was well attended by members of the ILWU family including Local 10 members, President Mike Villeggiante, Local 6 members including Secretary-Treasurer, Fred Pecker and Local 34 members. The event was organized by drill team members Trevor McCoy and Sabrina Giles. Decorations for the event were made by Elizabeth “Beth” Susim and Janet Smith. Music was provided by Local 10’s own “Sonic Boom”. Captain Josh led the effort to start the drill team in 1965. Josh started marching as a young boy as a way to show the pride he felt for his older brothers who fought in the Second World War. He perfected his “call and response” and other skills while in the ROTC and serving in the US Army. The Local 10 drill team has since become a fixture in the labor movement. They have travelled all over the country to delight and inspire labor and community events and have marched with Cesar Chavez and performed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
