Bluefield Mercer Voiture American Legion Post 310

The Bluefield Mercer Voiture American Legion (AL) Post 310 was originally formed as the Bluefield AL Post 9 and sponsored by the local veterans’ organization, which wore blue, white and gold uniforms for daytime performances, and show stopping coal mining coveralls and carbide-lamp helmets on loan from the Pocahontas Fuel Company for evening events.

R. L. Thompson was the founder of the corps, bringing expertise and success in the formation of several marching bands and drum corps in the region. After hosting the 1932 state convention, the Bluefield Post organized and supported a local unit. Strict rules determined who enrolled: boys first in the fall of 1932 and girls were added in 1935.

The corps was open to anyone aged 10 to 16. In 1933, the corps competed at the West Virginia (WV) AL state championships and were an instant hit with the crowd on their way to their first of many state championships. The following season saw the corps repeat as state champions on their way to St. Louis, competing at the 1935 American Legion Nationals, finishing in 2^nd position in the “Junior Division”. They also won their 3^rd state championship that year.

In 1936, the corps won both the state and National titles, held in Cleveland and won their fifth consecutive state championship in 1937 along with a 5^th place finish at the AL Nationals “Junior Division” in New York. The corps competed locally for the 1938 season on their way to winning another three state championships, returning to the 1939 “Junior Division” Nationals in Chicago, placing 2^nd, tying for 11^th at the 1940 Legion championships held in Boston and a 4^th place finish in Milwaukee.

In October of 1945, the corps reorganized as the Riley-Vest Sons of American Legion (SAL) Post 9 in honor of Steve Riley and Harry Vest Jr., once members of the local drum corps. They performed locally over the next two years, competing at the 1948 AL Nationals in Miami, placing 12^th in the SAL division.

The corps went on to participate in two other National championships, placing 11^th in Miami in 1951 and 29^th in New York in 1952 as the Bluefield Mercer Voiture AL Post 310.  

They disbanded in 1953.

 Paul Legault (DCX)

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