“Touring” 1923 style to the American Legion Nationals
By George Fennell
Copyright - This article appeared in the January, 2003 issue of Drum Corps World.
The Racine American Legion Post 76 raised some $10,000 to send its drum and bugle corps to
San Francisco, to the annual national convention of the American Legion held Oct. 16 -19, 1923.
The 67 members of the Racine American Legion drum and bugle left at 8:15 on 10-09-23 via the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railway en route for San Francisco to attend the national convention.
Arrangements were made to have a professional motion picture photographer accompany the State of
Wisconsin delegation. He not only took motion pictures of the Wisconsin men along the route and at the
convention, but also made motion pictures of the competitions and other interesting events. The films were
later shown at every movie house in Wisconsin.
At the Racine American Legion Post 76’s drum and bugle farewell dinner held the night before they left for San
Francisco, 10-08-23, the entertainment feature of the evening was the showing of the parade film and the film
taken of the drum corps when it was giving an exhibition drill at the drum corps benefit baseball game at Horlick
Field. The moving pictures were excellent and they were taken along on the trip for showings.
At this farewell dinner Mayor Armstrong made these remarks in giving the closing talk of the evening:
“All of Racine is interested in you,” he said, “and in your trip to the coast. That was shown by the large
attendance at the baseball game given to help defray the expenses of the trip. The people are interested in
you for a number of reasons. They have a kindly feeling toward you who served us in the World War, and they
want you to have the trip so that you can mingle with your former comrades at San Francisco.”
“They also feel that the organization is going to be a thing to rebound to your credit, to the city of Racine, and a
credit to the State of Wisconsin. There can be no better publicity than that which you are going to give on this
trip.”
“We are all Americans and during the World War Wisconsin sent some of the best regiments to the front. No
more heroic boys were there than those from this state who fought in that war.”
“Racine is proud of you, and you are going to do in San Francisco what you did in other cities where you
competed. The people wish you well on this trip and you will carry a message from Racine and a message from
the State of Wisconsin that your city and your state are the best which lie between here and the western coast.”
The Wisconsin American Legion DeLuxe special train stopped for an hour and a half at St. Paul, Minnesota, the
night of Oct. 10, 1923, en route to San Francisco for the national American Legion convention. Here the
Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps along with the Beaver Dam and Waukesha, Wisconsin,
American Legion Post bands, who were also on this train, put on a wonderful parade that was witnesses by
thousands. Also, the J. I. Case calliope, with Henry Wiegand and Dr. Gearen at the keys, took the crowd by
storm. Twenty pretty girls on the train distributed Racine pamphlets entitled “Racine, the City of Advantages”,
wherever the train stopped so Racine was being taken care of as far as advertising was concerned. This was
the first of many planned and advertised stops for this train both to and from San Francisco.
Just before arriving at Butte, Montana, the following telegram was sent to the Butte American Legion post by a
Badger legionnaires committee: “Many thanks for the kind offer of hospitality of people of Butte. Wisconsin
legionnaires, 325 strong, with two bands and a national winning drum and bugle corps want to show you some
real music. Can you show us mines and cowboys?”
Upon their arrival in Butte, Montana, the Badger legionnaires were met by hundreds of citizens of this thriving
western mining town and they indeed were shown both mines and cowboys. A delegation of officials met the
train and presented the key to the city to the State of Wisconsin’s American Legion Commander Vilas
Whaley. Then, accompanied by the Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps and the Beaver Dam and
Waukesha bands, the delegation paraded around the city. Later the entire delegation was taken on an auto
trip through the interesting points of the city; then to the Anaconda copper mines at Continental Divide. Some
of the legionnaires even mounted broncos which, because this was the first experience of this kind for the
legionnaires, afforded the natives huge enjoyment. The Butte newspapers featured Racine’s visit with front
page write-ups and pictures. The train passed through a snow storm in the Rocky Mountains and this was
featured by the taking of pictures of snow ball parties. It was a novel experience greatly enjoyed by the Racine
boys.
The Wisconsin American Legion Deluxe special train arrived in Seattle, Washington, and was met by a large
number of leading citizens and city officials. The legionnaires paraded through the leading streets of the city to
the American Legion club and there they were given a splendid luncheon. Following the feed the legionnaires
were accorded a ride through the city, around lakes and to the University of Washington. Every possible
courtesy was extended. During the evening the boys enjoyed dancing at a large ball given in their honor. The
Racine drum and bugle corps attracted much attention and sure put Racine on the map.
The next important stop along the way was at Portland, Oregon, where it was reported that Racine nearly lost
its American Legion drum and bugle corps because of Portland’s hospitality and the beauty of the Columbia
River Canyon. It made the boys feel the call of the west and they were loath to leave.
The following very flattering and complimentary letter dated Oct. 13, 1923, from P. L. Jackson , Chairman of the
Entertainment Committee of the American Legion in Portland, Oregon, was received at the Racine Journal-
News which stated:
“Having just gotten through putting your Legionnaires in automobiles to take them over our wonderful Columbia
River highway, and after spending the morning showing off your drum and bugle corps and the Beaver Dam
and Waukesha bands, I’m taking this first opportunity to congratulate your city and state on this delegation.”
“Our experience with the Shrine and the Elks has never shown us anything better than these three
organizations and you can be justly proud of them.”
“As used as our people are to this kind of organization, I have had at least three people voluntarily mention the
remarkable drum and bugle corps that paraded through our streets. This is not idle chatter, but a real
compliment from the heart.”
“You can be justly proud!”
From the time the train left Racine there was great ovation in every village and city where a stop was made.
The Racine boys, with its magnificent drum and bugle corps certainly made things lively. The pamphlets with
the advantages of Racine were circulated by the thousands.
The Wisconsin delegation to the American Legion convention rolled into San Francisco Sunday morning,
October 14th.
The huge American Legion national convention parade was staged on Tuesday, October 16th in a heavy mist,
dropping down from a fog veiled sky, which made the streets wet and slippery. The dampness had an effect on
the crowds with long banks of umbrellas lining the parade route and not the usual hustling about for snacks
and drinks.
The parade was one of the largest ever seen in the history of the state of California and every foot of the way
the Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps was cheered.
In raising the necessary funds to send the corps to the convention, the citizens of Racine made no mistake. It
was a great way in which Racine could be advertised to the world, but now they waited for the news on how
their drum and bugle corps did.
The glad news came first to the Racine Journal-News by Associated Press wire a little after 7 o’clock in the
morning on Thursday, October 18th, in the following brief message:
“San Francisco, Oct. 18 - The $1,000 American Legion prize and trophy for the best drum and bugle corps
entered in the organization’s annual convention parade, held Tuesday, was awarded to Racine, Wis.,
yesterday. Miami, Fla., was second and Pasadena, Calif., third.”
It was reported that there was no trouble experienced by the judges in deciding the first place drum and bugle
corps, but there was some difference of opinion in selecting the second and third. Following the decision of the
judges there was not anything good enough in the big California city for the winners and they were feted and
entertained by citizens and clubs alike. It is safe to say that the whole Racine delegation had the time of their
lives and would never forget the 1923 convention of the American Legion.
The Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps apparently made a hit with the San Francisco Lions Club
while it was out there according to a letter received by the Racine Lions Club. It was written by Clarence H.
Sprague for Dr. W. W. Vanderburgh, president of the San Francisco Lions Club, and it stated:
“On behalf of the San Francisco Lions club I wish to express through you to the businessmen of Racine, our
very sincere and joyous appreciation of the splendid time which you made possible for us by the visit of the
Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps to our meeting.”
To say that they pleased our club members by their personality, high grade appearance and magnificent work
is putting it mild. Your city has every right to be proud of this splendid organization.”
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them as men and shall long remember their program. Thank you sincerely for
the opportunity afforded us in their visit.”
The train back to Racine left San Francisco at 5:30 o’clock on Friday, October 19th, with stops at Los Angeles,
Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs, Denver, Omaha and Milwaukee, and arrived in Racine on Friday, Oct. 26th,
at 8:15 a.m. to a royal reception.
Returning in triumph from San Francisco, the Racine Legionnaires were greeted by a crowd of more than
20,000 persons. At the Junction station of the St. Paul railroad the Racine American Legion drum and bugle
corps detrained, unloaded their equipment and paraded down Washington Avenue to Monument Square on
Main Street in downtown Racine. There a large crowd had assembled and they were treated to the
performance of drills by the drum and bugle corps that had won them recognition at San Francisco.
Although flushed with victory, the members of the Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps did not forget
the Racine Welfare drive. A message from State Commander Vilas Whaley to Frank H. Miller, president of the
Rotary Club stated:
“San Francisco, Oct. 17 - Racine American Legion drum and bugle corps won first prize at the convention and
were generally acclaimed the finest organization of its kind in America. Wisconsin delegation was the sensation
of this great convention. The boys of ‘76 are 100% for the Racine Welfare drive and subscribe $300.”
President Miller, of the Rotary Club, at once wired as follows to Commander Whaley:
“Racine Rotary Club extends heartfelt congratulations. We are proud of you.”