Organized in 1943, The Corps is composed by 58 girls between the ages of 12 – 20. Sponsored by the Meridian Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association of Meridian, PA, the corps is the second oldest and the largest all-girl organization of its type in the U.S. The name Woodpecker was given the group because the girls play ebony fifes imported from Pakistan. [From Verona-Rosedale Kiwanis Festival of Drums souvenir program, June 10, 1955]