The orginal Post in Sioux Falls was named Harold Mason Post No. 15 in memory of Harold E. Mason, Corporal in E Company 58th Infantry, the first Sioux Falls boy to be killed in World War I. He was the son of Eli and Minnie Mason. He enlisted February 22, 1918, and was killed in action on July 21, 1918, during the Aisne-Marine offensive in France. For a number of years the Post met in the old Germania Hall, and after this building was torn down its meeting places were varied and indefinite until it acquired its own building at 208 West 9th Street in 1939. This building was used as a Club Room and meeting hall until increased membership required larger quarters. n 1942 the present building at Dakota Ave. and 9th Street was purchased and leased to the Federal Government for use as an U.S.O. during the reminder of 1942 and 1944. When returned to the Post in 1945 the building was completely remodeled to produce one of the finest Legion homes in the northwest. This building consists of a basement and two floors and is free of debt. In September, 1945, the Sioux Valley Post No. 253 was merged with the Harold Mason Post No. 15 to charter the present Sioux Falls Post No. 15. The 1947 membership was 3,381 and the goal for 1949 has been set at 4,000. The Post has been and is financed by the maintence of a Club Lounge and Bar, and by various social events at all times during the year. The Post supports, very liberally, all community projects, sich as the Red Cross, Community Chest, and has a very extensive Child Welfare program. It donates regularly and liberally to the Children's Home and the Crippled Childrens Fund, and at Christmas time each year sponsors a Christmas party for all the children in the Children's Home, the Presentation Sisters Orphan Home and the Crippled Children at Sioux Valley Hospital. These children are entertained with a fine program and served ice cream and cookies and each child is presented with a nice Christmas gift. Free transportation for children to and from the Legion Hall is furnished by Legion members. The Post supports a Junior Baseball Team, a Basketball Team, eight bowling teams, a Troop of Boy couts, it supports the Golden Glove Tournament, and a Legion Uniformed Chorus of seventy-five voices under the direction of Lee Bright. During the war the club rooms were open to all members of the armed forces who were served with free coffee and doughnuts at all times and special free entertainment was furnished continuously. This fine Legion Home is the result of many years of splendid cooperation by it's members and those directly responsible for its being, who are too numerous to mention by name. Theee members of this post have served as State Commanders in the first 25 years. namely Frank McCormick, Dr. G. G. Cottam and Claude Hamilton. Frank McCormick was the instigator of Junior Legion baseball which became a National institution. Several members served in both World Wars, among whom are Blaine Simons and Harry Grant. ThePost has a contingent of 150 men in complete Legion uniform who are subject to call at all times to assist in military funerals and all other functions and service of the Legion. The chorus started in November 1946 and was officially organized in March 1947 with over 30 members, Dr. Lee Bright as director, under the sponsorship of Sioux Falls American Legion Post 15. 30 consecutive appearances were made at the Legion National Conventions of 1949-1978 in competition for choral championships; the chorus won first place 20 times. The Avenue of Flags was begun in 1954 to display U.S. flags along the streets of Sioux Falls on pre-designated holidays. Katie Thompson, our current accompanist, has served the longest term, since late 1983. CHORUS DIRECTORS: Dr. Lee Bright (1947-1966) Don Peterson (1966-1996) Oscar Loe (1996-2000) Jack Mohlenhoff (2000-end of 2001) Alan Stanga (2002-present) SINGING LEGIONNAIRES OFFICERS YEAR PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SECRETARY TRESURER 2010 Bruce Naasz Milt Hanson Mike Binger John Hamilton Dick Kallemeyn 2009 Mike Binger Bruce Naasz Todd Schmidt Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2008 Arnie Zueger and Mike Binger Mike Binger and Bruce Naasz Todd Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2007 Todd Schmidt Arnie Zueger Larry Zikmund Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2006 Larry Zikmund Todd Schmidt Bob Johnson Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2005 Bob Johnson Larry Zikmund John Hamilton Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2004 John Hamilton Bob Johnson Wally Nelson Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2003 Wally Nelson John Hamilton Don Gerdes Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2002 Don Gerdes Wally Nelson Mark Bratt Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2001 Mark Bratt Don Gerdes Norm Varns Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 2000 Norm Varns Mark Bratt Jim Godbey Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 1999 Jim Godbey Norm Varns Orville Hill Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 1998 Orville Hill Jim Godbey Roy Marten Bob Binger Dick Kallemeyn 1997 Roy Marten Jack Wightman John Norberg Bob Binger Jack Hamilton 1996 John Norberg Roy Marten Jim Pederson Bob Binger Jack Hamilton 1995 Jim Pederson John Norberg Ken Stanga Bob Binger Jack Hamilton 1994 Ken Stanga Jim Pederson Warren Heyer Bob Binger Jack Hamilton 1993 Warren Heyer Ken Stanga Claude Krause Bob Binger Jack Hamilton 1992 Claude Krause Warren Heyer Chuck Davis Bob Binger Orville Hill 1991 Chuck Davis Claude Krause Roger Christiansen Bob Binger Orville Hill 1990 Roger Christiansen Orville Aman Harold Schreiner Bob Binger Orville Hill 1989 Harold Schreiner Roger Christiansen Harold Hanson Bob Binger Orville Hill 1988 Harold Hanson Harold Schreiner Gene Loken Bob Binger Orville Hill 1987 Gene Loken Harold Hanson Bob Williams Bob Binger Warren Heyer 1986 Bob Williams Ken Larson Roland Wick Bob Binger Martin Pfeiffer 1985 Roland Wick Bob Williams Dick Kallemeyn Chuck Dawes Jim Hale 1984 Dick Kallemeyn Roland Wick Ed Larson John Norberg Gene Loken 1983 Ed Larson Dick Kallemeyn Wes Clark John Norberg Warren Heyer 1982 Wes Clark Ed Larson Arlen Johnson John Norberg Gene Loken 1981 Arlen Johnson Wes Clark Bill Wheeler John Norberg Gene Loken 1980 Bill Wheeler Arlen Johnson Warren Heyer Wayne Bjordahl Dick Kallemeyn 1979 Warren Heyer Bob Hanisch Marv Stadum Dave Welch Dick Kallemeyn 1978 Martin Pfeiffer Warren Heyer John Miller Gene Loken Arlen Johnson 1977 John Miller Martin Pfeiffer Lyle Petit, Jr. Arlen Johnson Warren Heyer 1976 Lyle Petit, Jr. John Miller Charles McMunigal Gene Symes Warren Heyer 1975 Charles McMunigal Lyle Petit, Jr. Bob Heege Bob Williams John Miller 1974 Bob Heege Charles McMunigal Bill Wheeler Ed Larson Martin Pfeiffer 1973 Bill Wheeler Bob Heege Al DeGroot Jim Godbey Charles McMunigal 1972 Donald Eitreim and Al DeGroot Bill Wheeler Jim Godbey Charles McMunigal 1971 Jack Mulkey Donald Eitreim Ed Wolfe Forrest Jones Lyle Petit, Jr. 1970 Ed Wolfe Jack Mulkey Lyle Petit, Jr. Donald Eitreim 1969 Del Kroon Ed Wolfe Donald Eitreim Jack Mulkey 1968 Jack Tolsma Del Kroon Donald Eitreim Jack Mulkey 1967 Bob Binger Jack Tolsma Donald Eitreim Del Kroon 1966 Bob Vagstad Bob Binger Ole Cleland Del Kroon 1965 Orville Paulsen Bob Vagstad Charles McMunigal Bob Binger 1964 Wally Sorum Orville Paulsen Bill Hughes Everett Isakson 1963 Norm Weiss Wally Sorum Don Falmoe Everett Isakson 1962 Melvin Bird John Miller and Norm Weiss Roger Christiansen Wally Sorum 1961 Wayne Herreid Maurice Munson Bob Vagstad Wally Sorum 1960 Rei Olson Wayne Herreid Melvin Bird Orville Hill 1959 Luke Luymes Roland Wick and Rei Olson Wayne Herreid Orville Hill YEAR PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SECRETARY TREASURER 1958 Al DeGroot Luke Luymes Wendell Griffith Orville Hill 1957 Lowell Sutton Leland Hermerding Ray Jorgenson Kenneth Ingalls 1956 Richard Anderson John Mayor Bob Moe Leland Hermerding 1955 Dwight Tilgner Al DeGroot Stanley Greguson Luke Luymes 1954 Bob Hart James Adams Orville Paulsen Herb Dibley 1953 Ray Schrag Bob Hart Benny Tschetter Glenn Hinsvark 1952 Vertus Rohrer Luke Luymes Wally Sorum Richard Anderson 1951 Deming Smith Dwight Tilgner Bob Reetz Bob Hart 1950 Roy Fenner Deming Smith Bob Reetz Luke Luymes 1949 Leonard Miller Roy Fenner Ray Schrag Henry Graber 1948 Clyde Ainsworth Leonard Miller Warren Miller Warren Miller 1947 Clyde Ainsworth Leonard Miller Warren Miller Warren Miller AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL CONVENTION MUSIC CONTEST APPEARANCES, 1949-1978 •• YEAR CONVENTION CITY FINAL PLACEMENT •• 1949 Philadelphia, PA FIRST •• 1950 Los Angeles, CA FIRST •• 1951 Miami, FL FIRST •• 1952 New York, NY 2nd place •• 1953 St. Louis, MO 2nd place •• 1954 Washington, DC 2nd place •• 1955 Miami, FL 3rd place •• 1956 Los Angeles, CA FIRST •• 1957 Atlantic City, NJ 2nd place •• 1958 Chicago, IL FIRST •• 1959 Minneapolis, MN 2nd place •• 1960 Miami, FL 2nd place •• 1961 Denver, CO 2nd place •• 1962 Las Vegas, NV FIRST •• 1963 Miami, FL FIRST •• 1964 Dallas, TX FIRST •• 1965 Portland, OR FIRST •• 1966 Washington, DC FIRST •• 1967 Boston, MA FIRST •• 1968 New Orleans, LA 3rd place •• 1969 Atlanta, GA 2nd place •• 1970 Portland, OR FIRST •• 1971 Houston, TX FIRST •• 1972 Chicago, IL FIRST •• 1973 Honolulu, HI* FIRST •• 1974 Miami, FL FIRST •• 1975 Minneapolis, MN FIRST •• 1976 Seattle, WA FIRST •• 1977 Denver, CO FIRST •• 1978 New Orleans, LA FIRST •• * contest was not held, all champions retained their title DR. LEE BRIGHT “The Maestro” T o Lee Bright, founder of The Singing Legionnaires and our director for two decades, these happy memories of chorus history on the Post 15 web site are dedicated. He devoted a lifetime to the music that he loved, enriching the lives of his singers and audiences alike. Dr. Bright’s reputation as an outstanding choral conductor was established long before he organized the Legion Chorus in 1946. He was already Dean of Music at Sioux Falls College, director of the First Baptist Church choir, the El Riad Shrine Chanters, and the Minnehaha Mandskor. But, in the program of The American Legion, his music seemed to take on new dimensions. Lee Bright had led a musical group in the Navy during World War I. During the twenties he had appeared in vaudeville, light opera and musical comedy. These experiences taught him the showmanship which was evident in performances of the Legion Chorus, from the first “Fall Frolics” to the more polished “Cavalcades of Song” in later years. Every Singing Legionnaire member learned a great deal from Dr. Bright about the art of singing. He inspired us to sing our best, and to sing from the heart. He was a man of strong religious faith, patriotic fervor, and compassion for his fellow man. All of this came across in his music. 1946-1947 In November 1946, there were 8 members of the original Legion Chorus. Through some diligent recruiting, the roster had 32 members by February 1947. The Chorus was formally organized on March 7th, 1947. The first meeting of the American Legion Chorus, Post 15, was held at the American Legion Social Hall, Sioux Falls, at 2000 hours, on March 7th. The Legion executive committee, at a previous date, had appointed Dr. Lee Bright director and Clair Van Ausdall pianist. Dr. Bright called the meeting to order, and after the election the first officers took charge: President: Clyde Ainsworth Vice President: Leonard Miller Secretary and Treasurer: Warren Miller Librarian: Henry Graber President Ainsworth appointed a committee of R. E. Giedd, R. M. Quigley, and Derwood Bessler to draw up the by-laws of the new organization. One of the first acts of the chorus body was to have a party the next week, on March 14th. Rollie Giedd was appointed as publicity agent and served in that capacity for many years. The state convention of 1947 was held in Sioux Falls. After the convention, most of the effort was pointed to the Fall Frolics, held in the Coliseum, October 31st and November 1st. Two large classes of new members were accepted into the chorus: Richard Anderson, Roy H. Fenner, Donald Kooyman, Dick Moberly, Bob Reetz, Deming Smith, Art Stadfeldt, Bruzz Van Oort, Andrew Wall, and Edward Wolfe on September 26th; and James Burbank, Ed Greenough, Bob Gregory, Dick Hass, Leland Hermerding, Glenn Hinsvark, John Mayor, Orville Paulsen, Verne Schwerin, Bernie Taylor, Bill Warwick, Dale Whitcher, and Pier Witte on December 5th. 1948 The officers elected in 1947 were kept in office until October 29th, 1948, when an election was held and the following officers were elected for the balance of 1948 and 1949: President: Leonard Miller 1st Tenor: Warren Miller Vice President: Roy Fenner 2nd Tenor: Forrest Wicks Secretary: Ray Schrag Baritone: Art Stadfeldt Treasurer: Henry Graber Bass: Luke Luymes Librarian: Warren Miller Convention Chairman: Deming Smith Mrs. Kenneth Farnsworth was the pianist this year and Mrs. Rollie Giedd was assistant pianist. Mrs. Belmont Larson often served as organist, and usually the master of ceremonies was Tony Javurek. Rehearsals were mainly held on the 2nd floor of the Legion Building at 9th and Dakota. Concerts were presented at Spafford School, April 2nd, the City Temple, April 8th, in Emery, April 9th, Madison, May 7th, the Orange City (IA) Tulip Festival, May 21-22, Beresford, July 15th, and Emery again, December 3rd. An appearance was also made for the Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association meeting. The state convention was in Aberdeen. Because of a shortage of funds, the chorus had to abandon plans to attend the national Legion convention in Miami. To partially compensate for this disappointment, a combined concert was presented in Sioux City, Iowa, on August 15th, with the Monahan Post Band of Sioux City, before some 10,000 persons. The band at that time had been the Legion national champion seven times. On October 21st and 22nd the 2nd annual Fall Frolics was held. After Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians gave two concerts in Sioux Falls on November 10th, the chorus sang three numbers for them later that evening. The following day, after the Waring organization made a Veteran’s Day radio broadcast, Don Craig, the Waring choral assistant, gave musical tips to the Legionnaires at a rehearsal. New members joining on November 26th were LeRoy Aden (1st Tenor), Russ Brende (Baritone), Zane Bryan, John Hanson (Baritone), Bob Hart (1st Tenor), Al Polfuss, Vertus Rohrer (Baritone), Wally Sorum (2nd Tenor), Gene Tidemann (Bass) and Forrest Wicks (2nd Tenor). 1949 Convention City: Philadelphia, PA - 1st Place The officers elected in October 1948 continued in office through 1949. The chorus made some 20 public appearances in cities and towns in the tri-state area, putting the money away for Philadelphia and the hoped-for first national convention appearance. Included were Beresford, April 1st, Pipestone, MN, April 5th, Dell Rapids, April 8th, Canistota, April 13th, Humboldt, April 22nd, White, May 17th, the reunion banquet of the 147th F. A., June 5, Alcester, June 11th, Lennox, June 19th, Marion, June 24th, the Veterans’ Association of the Great Northern Railway at the Coliseum, June 25th, Baltic, July 10th, the opening of R. C. Johnson Veteran’s Hospital, August 5th, and other appearances at Toronto, Emery, Huron, and for the S. D. Hardware convention. In addition, free summer concerts were presented in the parks at home. Leonard Boe was now our pianist and Mrs. Rollie Giedd was again assistant pianist. New members to the chorus this year were Al DeGroot (2nd Tenor) and Kenneth Tidemann (Baritone) on February 4th; John Foreman, Preston Hyde (1st Tenor), Everett Isakson (Bass) and Oran K. Percy (Bass), on March 25th; Edmund Burg (2nd Tenor) on May 27th; Reg Burg (1st Tenor), Ted Martz (Baritone) and Joe Sona (2nd Tenor) on July 29th; Harold Hanson (1st Tenor) and Al VanVoorhis on October 28th. In order to become eligible to attend the national convention, the chorus had to defeat the Huron Auxiliary chorus at the state convention in Yankton. The Huron chorus later went on to become champions in their own right. In preparation for the national convention parade, there were numerous close order drills on the airport apron. Travel to the convention was by special railroad cars on the Milwaukee Railroad. On Sunday, August 28th came, of course, the high point of the year, when we took the first place trophy back to Sioux Falls on our first attempt in national competition. The King Hotel was our home away from home in Philadelphia. These were the numbers that defeated the other choruses in attendance: Warm-up: “The Lord’s Prayer” Required: “Sea Gypsy” Optional: “On the Sea” We returned home to a victory banquet on September 17th, then after an appearance in Canton on October 25th, presented the Victory Concert November 17th in the Coliseum, followed by appearances in Huron November 27th and Yankton December 2nd. A buffet supper was given in our honor in the Legion’s Mirror Room, November 13th. FRONT: Clair W. Van Ausdall, pianist. FIRST ROW (Left to Right): Warren Miller, 1st Tenor, Benny Tschetter, 1st Tenor, Milton Nelson, 1st Tenor, Henry Graber, 2nd Tenor, Fred Dunham, 2nd Tenor, Dr. Lee Bright, director, Lloyd Even, 2nd Tenor, Richard Midguard, Robert Dunham, Baritone, Harlan Hiatt, Baritone, Rollie Giedd, Bass. SECOND ROW (Left to Right): Steve Smyrak, 2nd Tenor, Arlen Lunning, 1st Tenor, Kenneth Johnson, 1st Tenor, Harold Ersland, 2nd Tenor, Wayne Gregorson, Baritone, Vernon Rothenbuehler, Bill Hannon, Bass, S. A. Peterson, 2nd Tenor, Donald Person, Leonard Miller, Baritone. THIRD ROW (Left to Right): Kenneth Ingalls, 1st Tenor, Ray Schaap, 2nd Tenor, John Larson, 2nd Tenor, Arden Clark, 2nd Tenor, Donald McCabe, Wes Clark, 2nd Tenor (later Baritone), W. P. Larson, 2nd Tenor, Clyde Ainsworth, Bass, Derwood Bessler, Baritone, Gene Schroedermeier, Bass, Dick Prang, Stanley Greguson, Bass, Randall Ryan, Bass. NOT PICTURED: Clayton Cole, Melvin Nutt, 1st Tenor, William Warne, Robert Thompson, Bob Quigley, 1st Tenor, William Kull, Dwight Tilgner, Baritone, Wm. A. Winfree, 1st Tenor. Joining later in 1947, and also considered charter members of the chorus, included Richard Anderson (1st Tenor), James Burbank, Roy H. Fenner (1st Tenor), Ed Greenough, Bob Gregory, Dick Hass (2nd Tenor), Leland Hermerding (2nd Tenor), Glenn Hinsvark (1st Tenor), Donald Kooyman, Luke Luymes (Bass), John Mayor (Bass), Leon Miller (1st Tenor), Dick Moberly, Orville Paulsen (Bass), Bob Reetz (Bass), Verne Schwerin (Bass), Deming Smith (Bass), Art Stadfeldt (Baritone), Bernie Taylor, Bruzz Van Oort, Andrew Wall (1st Tenor), Bill Warwick (Baritone), Roland Wick (1st Tenor), Dale Whitcher, Pier Witte (Baritone), and Ed Wolfe (Bass). The Chorus after their first National Contest victory in Philadelphia. Fourth row (left to right): Albert DeGroot, William Warwick, Preston Hyde, Leland Hermerding, Harlan Hiatt, Andrew Wall, Dwight Tilgner, Forest Cable, John Hanson, Robert Dietrich, Edmund Berg, Deming Smith, Reginald Berg. Third row: Warren Miller, William Larson, Richard Anderson, Arden Clark, Derwood Bessler, Dr. Lee Bright (director), Roy Fanner (vice president), Theodore Martz, Arthur Stadtfeld, Orin Percy, Leonard Miller (president), Pierre Witte, Leonard Boe (accompanist). Second row: LeRoy Aden, Ray Schrag (secretary), Lloyd Even, Forrest Wicks, Glen Hinsvark, Russell Brende, Leon Miller, Kenneth Tidemann, Henry Graber (treasurer), Benny Tschetter, Joe Sonna, Virtus Rohrer. Front row: Orville Paulsen, Wallace Sorum, Leslie Ottoson, John Mayor, Rollie Giedd, Robert Dunham, Frederick Dunham, Ray Schaap, Kenneth Ingalls, Edward Wolfe, Steve Smyrak, Everett Isakson, Arlen Lunning, and Steen Peterson. FRONT: Clair W. Van Ausdall, pianist. FIRST ROW (Left to Right): Warren Miller, 1st Tenor, Benny Tschetter, 1st Tenor, Milton Nelson, 1st Tenor, Henry Graber, 2nd Tenor, Fred Dunham, 2nd Tenor, Dr. Lee Bright, director, Lloyd Even, 2nd Tenor, Richard Midguard, Robert Dunham, Baritone, Harlan Hiatt, Baritone, Rollie Giedd, Bass. SECOND ROW (Left to Right): Steve Smyrak, 2nd Tenor, Arlen Lunning, 1st Tenor, Kenneth Johnson, 1st Tenor, Harold Ersland, 2nd Tenor, Wayne Gregorson, Baritone, Vernon Rothenbuehler, Bill Hannon, Bass, S. A. Peterson, 2nd Tenor, Donald Person, Leonard Miller, Baritone. THIRD ROW (Left to Right): Kenneth Ingalls, 1st Tenor, Ray Schaap, 2nd Tenor, John Larson, 2nd Tenor, Arden Clark, 2nd Tenor, Donald McCabe, Wes Clark, 2nd Tenor (later Baritone), W. P. Larson, 2nd Tenor, Clyde Ainsworth, Bass, Derwood Bessler, Baritone, Gene Schroedermeier, Bass, Dick Prang, Stanley Greguson, Bass, Randall Ryan, Bass. NOT PICTURED: Clayton Cole, Melvin Nutt, 1st Tenor, William Warne, Robert Thompson, Bob Quigley, 1st Tenor, William Kull, Dwight Tilgner, Baritone, Wm. A. Winfree, 1st Tenor. Joining later in 1947, and also considered charter members of the chorus, included Richard Anderson (1st Tenor), James Burbank, Roy H. Fenner (1st Tenor), Ed Greenough, Bob Gregory, Dick Hass (2nd Tenor), Leland Hermerding (2nd Tenor), Glenn Hinsvark (1st Tenor), Donald Kooyman, Luke Luymes (Bass), John Mayor (Bass), Leon Miller (1st Tenor), Dick Moberly, Orville Paulsen (Bass), Bob Reetz (Bass), Verne Schwerin (Bass), Deming Smith (Bass), Art Stadfeldt (Baritone), Bernie Taylor, Bruzz Van Oort, Andrew Wall (1st Tenor), Bill Warwick (Baritone), Roland Wick (1st Tenor), Dale Whitcher, Pier Witte (Baritone), and Ed Wolfe (Bass).