Sergeant First Class Doug Gruehn (USAR/RET) has been playing the cornet since 1956.  He has been making toy soldiers from tin since 1983.  SFC Gruehn is also the sole proprietor and craftsman of Sergeant Green’s Soldiers Ltd., the purveyor of brass band miniatures to the Milwaukee Festival Brass.  

SFC Gruehn first served in the U.S.  Navy as a trumpeter in bands aboard the U.S.S.  Saratoga (CVA-60), the U.S.S.  Wasp (CVS-18) and at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Unit Band 114.  He was principal trumpet player in the 84^Th Division Band USAR from 1986 to 1996.  He is now a volunteer funeral bugler for the National Guard.

In the course of his hobby of toy soldier making, SFC Gruehn has made over 1,500 molds from which he can create not only soldiers but Christmas figures and jewelry as well.  As far as manufacturing bands goes, the possibilities are nearly endless.  Past creations include the mounted band of both the Life Guards and the Royal Scots Grays, various Navy bands, bands of the USMC (both past and present), U.S.  army band in various uniforms, West Point Cadet Bands, British Guards Bands, Drums and Bugles of the British Light Infantry Regiments…the list goes on and on! A great many and varied nationalities are also represented including Dutch, Indian, Swedish, Russian, Prussian, French, Italian, and Canadian, to name a few. 

The Milwaukee Festival Brass is grateful that Sergeant Green’s Soldiers Ltd.  Supports Brass Band music by making these miniatures available at its concerts.