1942 V. Kozeleeha Cleveland, Ohio Band NALC Annual Convention badge

September 5-7, 1942

Letter carrier bands associated with union branches date back to the nineteenth century. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) members and band participants believed letter carriers’ bands could “[kindle] the union spirit at NALC conventions and rallies” through music. The president of the Omaha NALC Branch said in 1893, “I think carriers could, in various ways, be instrumental in doing a great deal of good, not only for themselves but their brother carriers, by way of concerts and various entertainments.” Updates from various cities published in the Postal Record show friendly competition grew with the creation of local bands.