Sept. 5,6,7,and 8 1935,the 17th Annual Department of New Hampshire Convention was held in Nashua, with the James E. Coffey Post 3 as hosts. It was one of the largest conventions in the history of the American Legion. A 3 place cabin airplane (pictured) was given away as a grand prize during the convention. The event attracted much attention, and the plane was flown to different cities in the states of N.H. and Mass. to advertise the convention. Shown standing in the hanger door are, left to right, Past Post Commander Earle Williams who was the President of the Nashua Convention Committee, Mayor and Post 3 member Alvin A. Lucier, Committeeman and Past Commander Florian Christy, and Commander Roland B. Burnham. The winner of the airplane was Stewart Jacobs of Penacook, N.H. The airplane was valued at $1,400.00 dollars at the time. The city officially dedicated the Nashua Municipal Airport on this same day.
Senator Styles Bridges was Convention Speaker, and Mayor Alvin A. Lucier was Master of Ceremonies at the Convention Banquet.
Earl F. Mellon, who served as Coffey Post 3 commander IN 1932, served as Junior Vice Commander of the State Department in 1933, and Senior Vice Commander in 1934, was elected Department of NH Commander at the 1935 convention.
