The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1951-12-15
Organization Composed
.iOf Navy Men And
Dependent.

Dependents
The Choir Of The Memorial Cha
pei, u. S. Naval Station, Key West
Florida, has recently had the honor
Of singing for President Harry S
Truman for the fourth time in less
than year Organized by LCDR
Harold +. Mengos. CHG. USN,
Senior Protestant Chaplain, the
group is directed by Mr. Thomas
Whitley, supervisor Of music in
the Key West public schools
Composed Of wives of military
personnel. and Navy and Marine
Corps men, members of the choir
represent many Of the Naval ac-
tivities in Key West They include
:" uSS Mania, o. s Fleet Sonar
School, U, S. Naval Air Station.
Advanced UnderSeas apon
School. Surface Anti Submarine
Development. USS Gilmore. Air
- 0perational Development Squadron
ONE. USS PCS 1884, Naval ordn-
.anee Unit, USS Robinson, and Air
ship 0perational Development
ELEVEN. - ,.
ORGANIZED IN 1850 IA,
chaplain Menges began recruit
ing members for d ehdir shortly
after he reported for duty at the
Naval Station, Key West in Aug
ust, 1850. From an average atten-
dance OF three at rehearsals the
number has grown to thirty MIR.
Whitley assumed duties Of direc-
tor in September, 1850 and begin
training the choir at rehearsals
; every Wednesday night from 7:30
to 1000 o'clock Working with a
/. collection OF trained and unframed
vocies of many different ages Mr.,
Whitley has woven these dissimilar
.t strands Of musical experience into
well balanced chorus,
The Chapel choir members en-
JOY not only singing together but
a fine fellowship in addition. Cof-
fee and cakes or other refresh
mentS are served each Wednesday
evening at the inteFmission in the
lengthy rehearsal, For the second
time In recent months the entire
CHOIR has been entertained in the
: Chaplain's quarters with d buffet
super. The last supper was held
on November q and was attend
ed by AZ choir members and fri
=. ends.
An anthem is sung each Sunday
for the II 100 am, Worship. Service.
Special music in the from of solos,
duets, quarteetes and smaller Choir
~ al groups is supplied at the Gas
a. M Worship Service. Additional
musical programs are supplied for
special occasions such as Chris
+. tmas Eve Service, Good Friday,
Easter Services. etc.
h,,.y CHAPLAIN MENcEs.
= Chaplain Menges. a graduate Of
- Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, Oklahoma and South.
Western Baptist Theological Semi.
nary, Fort Worth, Texas, came to
Key West from the Atlantic Fleet
~" AmphibiouS Force Prior 10 that,
nc served as Chaplain at the Jack.
sonville Naval Hospital, Jackson.
z vile, Florida with the Seabees on
Guam and In Japan. and at the
Naval Training Center. Davisville
Rhode Island
-. While at Davisville, he conduct.
ed an Easter Sunday program over
IL "a nation. wide Mutual Broadeastiiip
, Gompany radio hook.tip'With ofche.
i Sira and choir He'is authorized Va
wear the American area itffbbon,
ASlatie-Pacifio area ribbon. World
war II Victory medal ribbon, and
the Japanese Occupation ribbon
-, Chaplain MengeS is married to the
'e'iermer Miss Alice Hatcher of Shaw
i. nee, Oklahoma. They have three
e sons, Harold, age i6. Paul. age Is
~ and James, age 10.
= The Chaplaius opinion of the
.o''rs,oir Is best exempiified BY the
,- following direct quotation from !
y recent Chapel bulletin.
The Chaplain is sure he expires
SEES not only has own deep appreci
'''~stion. but that Of every member o.
the Chapel Congregation when he
eo gives q hearty Well Done to tbs
sscfioir. Perhaps no other single
,.4, factor has contributed so much I,
1.-THE growth OF the congregation ant
. the fine spirit Of worship we now
"a enjoy.
MR.. THOMAS WHITLEY
!, ~. Choir director Whitley ATTENDED