Throughout America's history, the call to war was heralded by the sounds of the drum, the fife, and the bugle. But after the fighting was over, the music remained.
At the end of World War I, musical marching units nationwide moved in a new direction, as they began to participate in music and drill competitions, parades, and festivals. With the advent of the American Legion came the reorganization by newly returned veterans in Racine, Wisconsin, of the Wisconsin National Guard's Batteries C & F Drum and Bugle Corps into the American Legion Post 76 Drum and Bugle Corps, which would come to be known as the Racine Boys of 76 Drum and Bugle Corps. Though much is known about the Racine American Legion Post 76 Drum and Bugle Corps' activities and triumphs after World War II, history enthusiasts were left to wonder what happened during the years of its initial birth and development. Inside these pages is a rich scrapbook history that fills in the pieces of the missing years (1916-1946) and shows how one of the American Legion's greatest drum and bugle corps became the national champions, setting the pace in music, equipment, and drill maneuvers.