Oo la la “Pa-ree”: The Boys of 76 Invade France in 1927
By George Fennell
Copyright - This article appeared in the June 13, 1986 issue of Drum Corps World.
In the book Competitive Drum Corps, There and Then…To Here and Now it states that the Garfield Cadets
“were the first touring corps as they traveled by bus to Los Angeles in 1950 - a three week trip for one contest -
to defend their National Legion title.”
This is an inaccurate statement, as drum corps were touring all over the United States since at least the early
twenties. A comparison of the national convention sites of the American Legion and the VFW prior to 1950 with
the hometowns of the corps that attended these national conventions will reveal that from the beginning of
these two national championships, corps came from all over the United States to compete at them.
Also, the list of prior American Legion National Convention sites shows that in 1927 it was held in Paris,
France. This was the only time that the American Legion held its national convention outside of the United
States.
Six senior drum and bugle corps from the United States made the trip to Paris, France, in 1927 to compete for
the American Legion national title. This is the story of one of those corps that made this trip, the American
Legion Post 76 Drum and Bugle Corps of Racine, Wisconsin. Known today as the Spirit of 76, in 1927 they
were an all-male corps nicknamed the Boys of 76.
To make this trip possible, the corps needed to raise about $20,000. John D. Costello, commander of
American Legion Post 76 and a member of the corps’ color guard, headed the drive to raise the necessary
funds.
In May of 1927 the corps raised $2,890.49 through a series of dances held at Memorial Hall in downtown
Racine. Contributions to the corps during early summer totaled $1,896. Other donations that summer came
from the Wisconsin Department of the American Legion, which donated $2,995 to the fund, and from Kenosha,
donating $830.
Wisconsin’s Governor, Fred R. Zimmerman, called the corps “Wisconsin’s Pride,” and the state legislature, in a
rare action, appropriated $5,000 toward the cost of the overseas trip.
Nevertheless, with the end of summer approaching, the corps was still significantly short of the money needed
to fund this trip. Early in the afternoon of Thursday, August 11, corps officials made it known to the Racine
Journal News that they had almost given up hope of raising the required balance. Corps officials believed that
time was too short for the usual methods of raising funds and they laid the facts of their predicament before the
newspaper’s editor.
The Racine Journal-News responded by conducting a week-long campaign, beginning that very day, to raise
the $4,000 still needed, Stating: “This paper stands ready at all times to further civic matters, and the tour of
the drum corps overseas is held to be just as great a civic matter as any other.”
“The public responded to this campaign by donating $4,106. And finally, William Horlick, Sr., maker of Horlick’s
Malted Milk, completed the donations with a personal check for $1,031.81. This additional amount was found to
be necessary at the last minute.
With the necessary funds now raised, the trip was on. The City of Racine gave the corps a sendoff at 8:30 P.
M. on September 1, 1927, in what the Racine Journal-News called “a monster mass meeting in Memorial Hall”.
The purpose was to give the people of Racine, who contributed so generously to the corps’ Paris Fund, an
opportunity to see the corps perform its drill and wish the members good luck before they left on this long
journey.
At this meeting, which more nearly resembled a pep rally, short speeches were given by Congressman Henry
Allen Cooper and Racine’s Mayor Armstrong. Mr. Starbuck of the Racine Journal-News presented Fred
Maxted, leader of the drum corps, with a check for $4,106 - the amount raised in their week’s drive in August for
the Paris Fund. John D. Costello announced that this brought the Paris Fund up to $18,144.49.
Following the meeting, the corps assembled in uniform on the floodlighted field behind Memorial Hall and put on
their drill.
The trip to Paris, France, actually began with the corps, numbering 52 men, leaving Racine at noon on
Tuesday, September 6, 1927. They arrived via train in Quebec City, QUE, Canada, at 7:00 A.M. on September
8.
On the way to Quebec City the train stopped at 2:45 P.M. Wednesday, September 7, at the Canadian Pacific
Railway Depot in Montreal, QUE, Canada. Before 3 P.M. the entire corps was fully uniformed and performing
for their first time before an audience outside of the United States.
On September 9, the corps boarded the S. S. Mont Royal at Quebec and sailed to Antwerp, Belgium. The S. S.
Mont Royal was stated to be one of the largest ocean-going steamers. En route, practice drills were held on
deck.
Arnold Malmquist, a member of the corps, acted as a special correspondent for the Racine Journal-News,
sending the paper numerous cablegrams describing the corps’ trip. These were printed on the front page of
the newspaper, keeping Racine informed about the trip’s progress on almost a daily basis.
Early in the morning on Saturday, September 17, the S. S. Mont Royal steamed into the harbor at Antwerp.
The corps almost immediately boarded a train and, with a stop in Brussels, Belgium, arrived in Paris that
evening around 6:00 P.M. The corps did perform in both Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium.
The corps arrived in Paris dead serious about winning the national championship. Before the competition there
was to be no wild times for the corps members on Montmartre, the hill known throughout the world as the center
of Parisian night life - only practice.
Drum Major Wilbur Hansen told his corps, “Business first, then pleasure. We are here to take back the
championship that we lost last year after winning it four times in succession. After we win, then it will be time for
use to enjoy Paris.”
On Monday, September 19, 1927, fourteen thousand men of the American Legion, including the six attending
drum and bugle corps, marched in a great parade under the Arc De Triomphe. It was only the third time in
French history that the Arc has been opened to a foreign body.
The procession of Americans was reviewed by two of France’s greatest soldiers, Marshals Foch and Joffre, and
by America’s World War I leader General John J. Pershing.
On Tuesday, September 20, 1927, the American Legion National Championship was held in Paris, France. It
was judged by what the Racine Journal-News called “newspapermen,” and here are the results:
1. Miami, FL - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 18; cadence, 18; maneuvers, 20. Total,
96.00.
2. Kankakee, IL - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 19; cadence, 18.2; maneuvers, 18.
Total, 95.20.
3. Erie Co., NY - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 20; cadence, 20; maneuvers, 14.6. Total,
94.60.
4. Ft. Dodge, IA - Uniforms, 19; marching appearance, 19; rhythm, 18; cadence, 20; maneuvers, 18.2.
Total, 94.20.
5. Racine, WI - Uniforms, 18; marching appearance, 18; rhythm, 19; cadence, 18, maneuvers, 20. Total,
93.00.
6. Charlotte, NC - Uniforms, 17; marching appearance, 17; rhythm, 19; cadence, 19, maneuvers, 16.8.
Total, 88.80.
This was the first of four American Legion senior national titles for the Harvey Seeds Post Rebels of Miami,
Florida. They also won in 1928, 1930 and 1931.
After the competition, the Boys of 76 enjoyed Paris and made side trips to World War I cemeteries.
The corps left Paris on Sunday, September 25, 1927. They took a train from Paris to Cherbourg, France,
where later that night they boarded a steamship and left for Quebec, QUE, Canada. The corps left Quebec by
train and arrived back in Racine on Monday, October 3, 1927, around 7:35 P.M.
Although they had not been victorious, Racine welcomed the corps back in a fashion befitting conquering
heroes. When the corps arrived at the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Station on State Street in Racine,
they were greeted by a large crowd that filled not only the depot platform, but also adjoining freight yards.
There the corps assembled in full uniform, marched east on State Street and then south on Main Street,
through downtown Racine to Memorial Hall. Most members spent but a few moments there before hurrying
home, bringing an end to their long journey.
All along the line of march to Memorial Hall, the corps was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the people
of Racine, who showed their interest and support of the corps. Racine’s interest and support of the corps has
lasted to this day, as the Spirit of 76, founded in 1916, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Happy
anniversary!
The article below appeared in the Racine Journal Times,
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Racine Woman Marched In U. S., Europe
Former ‘Miss 76’ dies at age 99
Gladys H. Hartung Naleid was a pioneer for her day.
The former Gladys Christensen, Naleid traveled across the country and to Europe as part of a local drum corps
that won several awards. She was also a private pilot who was active in the Civil Air Patrol in Michigan, the
Women’s Aeronautical Association and other organizations.
Naleid died April 9 at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, Mich. She was 99.
Naleid, a stenographer at Horlick Malted Milk, found herself in the spotlight in 1927 when she traveled with the
Boys of 76 Drum and Bugle Corps, which was sponsored by the American Legion Post 76, to Paris to compete
in an international compeition.
The corps, which was referred to as “Wisconsin’s pride” by then Gov. Fred Zimmerman, drew state-wide
support.
“They traveled to major cities in the U.S. and won numerous awards,” said Racine’s Carol Ann Huff, whose
father Paul Paulson was one of the original drummers when they made their one-month journey to Paris in
1927 to compete for the international championship.
Christensen, the drum majorette, was a member of the corps that traveled to France. The $20,000 trip was
paid for by $10,000 in donations from Racine residents and businesses, $5,000 from the state, $3,000 from the
American Legion and William Horlick reportedly wrote a personal check of $1,031.
The corps finished fifth at the competition - a disappointment considering they had won several other events,
including four straight national titles at the American Legion conventions.
The talented group won in 1922 at New Orleans, 1923 at San Francisco, 1924 at St. Paul, Minn., and 1925 at
Omaha.
Most of the 40 members in 1920 were World War I veterans. The membership increased to about 70, most
between the ages of 18 and 50, in 1976. By then members came from Sheboygan, Beloit, Chicago and other
cities.
The drum corps went on to win 50 state American Legion titles, but the biggest adventure of all may be the
highly chronicled trip to Paris.
The corps left by train from Chicago and departed by ship from Quebec City on Sept. 9, 1927, and returned to
a heroes welcome on Oct. 3.
Christensen, the drum majorette and lone female with the corps on the month-long visit to Paris, and the
remainder of the drum and bugle corps marched and played to the delight of thousands of Parisians. When
they were judged fifth by judges, there was disappointment, but an international scene was avoided.
Christensen married Howard Hartung in Racine in 1930 and they lived in Detroit for 25 years. She later married
Racine assemblyman Roy Naleid and the couple moved to Florida.
A memorial service is scheduled Sunday at Chelsea Retirement Community with burial at Graceland Cemetery
in Racine.
By George Fennell
Copyright - This article appeared in the June 13, 1986 issue of Drum Corps World.
In the book Competitive Drum Corps, There and Then…To Here and Now it states that the Garfield Cadets
“were the first touring corps as they traveled by bus to Los Angeles in 1950 - a three week trip for one contest -
to defend their National Legion title.”
This is an inaccurate statement, as drum corps were touring all over the United States since at least the early
twenties. A comparison of the national convention sites of the American Legion and the VFW prior to 1950 with
the hometowns of the corps that attended these national conventions will reveal that from the beginning of
these two national championships, corps came from all over the United States to compete at them.
Also, the list of prior American Legion National Convention sites shows that in 1927 it was held in Paris,
France. This was the only time that the American Legion held its national convention outside of the United
States.
Six senior drum and bugle corps from the United States made the trip to Paris, France, in 1927 to compete for
the American Legion national title. This is the story of one of those corps that made this trip, the American
Legion Post 76 Drum and Bugle Corps of Racine, Wisconsin. Known today as the Spirit of 76, in 1927 they
were an all-male corps nicknamed the Boys of 76.
To make this trip possible, the corps needed to raise about $20,000. John D. Costello, commander of
American Legion Post 76 and a member of the corps’ color guard, headed the drive to raise the necessary
funds.
In May of 1927 the corps raised $2,890.49 through a series of dances held at Memorial Hall in downtown
Racine. Contributions to the corps during early summer totaled $1,896. Other donations that summer came
from the Wisconsin Department of the American Legion, which donated $2,995 to the fund, and from Kenosha,
donating $830.
Wisconsin’s Governor, Fred R. Zimmerman, called the corps “Wisconsin’s Pride,” and the state legislature, in a
rare action, appropriated $5,000 toward the cost of the overseas trip.
Nevertheless, with the end of summer approaching, the corps was still significantly short of the money needed
to fund this trip. Early in the afternoon of Thursday, August 11, corps officials made it known to the Racine
Journal News that they had almost given up hope of raising the required balance. Corps officials believed that
time was too short for the usual methods of raising funds and they laid the facts of their predicament before the
newspaper’s editor.
The Racine Journal-News responded by conducting a week-long campaign, beginning that very day, to raise
the $4,000 still needed, Stating: “This paper stands ready at all times to further civic matters, and the tour of
the drum corps overseas is held to be just as great a civic matter as any other.”
“The public responded to this campaign by donating $4,106. And finally, William Horlick, Sr., maker of Horlick’s
Malted Milk, completed the donations with a personal check for $1,031.81. This additional amount was found to
be necessary at the last minute.
With the necessary funds now raised, the trip was on. The City of Racine gave the corps a sendoff at 8:30 P.
M. on September 1, 1927, in what the Racine Journal-News called “a monster mass meeting in Memorial Hall”.
The purpose was to give the people of Racine, who contributed so generously to the corps’ Paris Fund, an
opportunity to see the corps perform its drill and wish the members good luck before they left on this long
journey.
At this meeting, which more nearly resembled a pep rally, short speeches were given by Congressman Henry
Allen Cooper and Racine’s Mayor Armstrong. Mr. Starbuck of the Racine Journal-News presented Fred
Maxted, leader of the drum corps, with a check for $4,106 - the amount raised in their week’s drive in August for
the Paris Fund. John D. Costello announced that this brought the Paris Fund up to $18,144.49.
Following the meeting, the corps assembled in uniform on the floodlighted field behind Memorial Hall and put on
their drill.
The trip to Paris, France, actually began with the corps, numbering 52 men, leaving Racine at noon on
Tuesday, September 6, 1927. They arrived via train in Quebec City, QUE, Canada, at 7:00 A.M. on September
8.
On the way to Quebec City the train stopped at 2:45 P.M. Wednesday, September 7, at the Canadian Pacific
Railway Depot in Montreal, QUE, Canada. Before 3 P.M. the entire corps was fully uniformed and performing
for their first time before an audience outside of the United States.
On September 9, the corps boarded the S. S. Mont Royal at Quebec and sailed to Antwerp, Belgium. The S. S.
Mont Royal was stated to be one of the largest ocean-going steamers. En route, practice drills were held on
deck.
Arnold Malmquist, a member of the corps, acted as a special correspondent for the Racine Journal-News,
sending the paper numerous cablegrams describing the corps’ trip. These were printed on the front page of
the newspaper, keeping Racine informed about the trip’s progress on almost a daily basis.
Early in the morning on Saturday, September 17, the S. S. Mont Royal steamed into the harbor at Antwerp.
The corps almost immediately boarded a train and, with a stop in Brussels, Belgium, arrived in Paris that
evening around 6:00 P.M. The corps did perform in both Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium.
The corps arrived in Paris dead serious about winning the national championship. Before the competition there
was to be no wild times for the corps members on Montmartre, the hill known throughout the world as the center
of Parisian night life - only practice.
Drum Major Wilbur Hansen told his corps, “Business first, then pleasure. We are here to take back the
championship that we lost last year after winning it four times in succession. After we win, then it will be time for
use to enjoy Paris.”
On Monday, September 19, 1927, fourteen thousand men of the American Legion, including the six attending
drum and bugle corps, marched in a great parade under the Arc De Triomphe. It was only the third time in
French history that the Arc has been opened to a foreign body.
The procession of Americans was reviewed by two of France’s greatest soldiers, Marshals Foch and Joffre, and
by America’s World War I leader General John J. Pershing.
On Tuesday, September 20, 1927, the American Legion National Championship was held in Paris, France. It
was judged by what the Racine Journal-News called “newspapermen,” and here are the results:
1. Miami, FL - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 18; cadence, 18; maneuvers, 20. Total,
96.00.
2. Kankakee, IL - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 19; cadence, 18.2; maneuvers, 18.
Total, 95.20.
3. Erie Co., NY - Uniforms, 20; marching appearance, 20; rhythm, 20; cadence, 20; maneuvers, 14.6. Total,
94.60.
4. Ft. Dodge, IA - Uniforms, 19; marching appearance, 19; rhythm, 18; cadence, 20; maneuvers, 18.2.
Total, 94.20.
5. Racine, WI - Uniforms, 18; marching appearance, 18; rhythm, 19; cadence, 18, maneuvers, 20. Total,
93.00.
6. Charlotte, NC - Uniforms, 17; marching appearance, 17; rhythm, 19; cadence, 19, maneuvers, 16.8.
Total, 88.80.
This was the first of four American Legion senior national titles for the Harvey Seeds Post Rebels of Miami,
Florida. They also won in 1928, 1930 and 1931.
After the competition, the Boys of 76 enjoyed Paris and made side trips to World War I cemeteries.
The corps left Paris on Sunday, September 25, 1927. They took a train from Paris to Cherbourg, France,
where later that night they boarded a steamship and left for Quebec, QUE, Canada. The corps left Quebec by
train and arrived back in Racine on Monday, October 3, 1927, around 7:35 P.M.
Although they had not been victorious, Racine welcomed the corps back in a fashion befitting conquering
heroes. When the corps arrived at the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Station on State Street in Racine,
they were greeted by a large crowd that filled not only the depot platform, but also adjoining freight yards.
There the corps assembled in full uniform, marched east on State Street and then south on Main Street,
through downtown Racine to Memorial Hall. Most members spent but a few moments there before hurrying
home, bringing an end to their long journey.
All along the line of march to Memorial Hall, the corps was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the people
of Racine, who showed their interest and support of the corps. Racine’s interest and support of the corps has
lasted to this day, as the Spirit of 76, founded in 1916, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Happy
anniversary!
The article below appeared in the Racine Journal Times,
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Racine Woman Marched In U. S., Europe
Former ‘Miss 76’ dies at age 99
Gladys H. Hartung Naleid was a pioneer for her day.
The former Gladys Christensen, Naleid traveled across the country and to Europe as part of a local drum corps
that won several awards. She was also a private pilot who was active in the Civil Air Patrol in Michigan, the
Women’s Aeronautical Association and other organizations.
Naleid died April 9 at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, Mich. She was 99.
Naleid, a stenographer at Horlick Malted Milk, found herself in the spotlight in 1927 when she traveled with the
Boys of 76 Drum and Bugle Corps, which was sponsored by the American Legion Post 76, to Paris to compete
in an international compeition.
The corps, which was referred to as “Wisconsin’s pride” by then Gov. Fred Zimmerman, drew state-wide
support.
“They traveled to major cities in the U.S. and won numerous awards,” said Racine’s Carol Ann Huff, whose
father Paul Paulson was one of the original drummers when they made their one-month journey to Paris in
1927 to compete for the international championship.
Christensen, the drum majorette, was a member of the corps that traveled to France. The $20,000 trip was
paid for by $10,000 in donations from Racine residents and businesses, $5,000 from the state, $3,000 from the
American Legion and William Horlick reportedly wrote a personal check of $1,031.
The corps finished fifth at the competition - a disappointment considering they had won several other events,
including four straight national titles at the American Legion conventions.
The talented group won in 1922 at New Orleans, 1923 at San Francisco, 1924 at St. Paul, Minn., and 1925 at
Omaha.
Most of the 40 members in 1920 were World War I veterans. The membership increased to about 70, most
between the ages of 18 and 50, in 1976. By then members came from Sheboygan, Beloit, Chicago and other
cities.
The drum corps went on to win 50 state American Legion titles, but the biggest adventure of all may be the
highly chronicled trip to Paris.
The corps left by train from Chicago and departed by ship from Quebec City on Sept. 9, 1927, and returned to
a heroes welcome on Oct. 3.
Christensen, the drum majorette and lone female with the corps on the month-long visit to Paris, and the
remainder of the drum and bugle corps marched and played to the delight of thousands of Parisians. When
they were judged fifth by judges, there was disappointment, but an international scene was avoided.
Christensen married Howard Hartung in Racine in 1930 and they lived in Detroit for 25 years. She later married
Racine assemblyman Roy Naleid and the couple moved to Florida.
A memorial service is scheduled Sunday at Chelsea Retirement Community with burial at Graceland Cemetery
in Racine.