From the front page of the Nashua Telegraph, Monday June 22, 1953.
Headline: 20,000 Line Streets to See Colorful Legion Parade.
A fitting climax to the 35th annual convention of the NH department of the American Legion was reached Sunday afternoon when some 20,000 people braved a merciless sun to observe the longest parade in the city's history. It was also the most musical march as some 25 bands and drum corps units participated.
A single blast from the fire whistle at Central station at 1 PM heralded the start of the parade under the command f Dr. Albert G. Coffey as chief marshal.
From West Hollis St., the six-division group headed by Patrolman Edmond Dionne on the police motorcycle, headed north on Main St. with Police Captain Benjamin B. Murray leading the marchers. Behind him marched Captain James A. Brahaney leading a squad of firefighters, all war veterans.
Then came Chief Marshal Coffey, honorary marshals, Governor Hugh Gregg and Mayor Lester H. Burnham and Sgt. Albert H. Coffey. aide-de-camp, followed by Chief of Staff Earle L. Williams and his staff.
When the paraders reached the Brockelman's market, Governor Gregg and Mayor Burnham dropped out and joined the group reviewing stand in front of which included Gold Star Mother, both local and from outside the city. However, both officials resumed the march when they joined the delegation from the James E. Coffey post.
Scores of American flags and American Legion banners were unfurled. Colorfully dressed musical organizations with white helmet liners and white leggings were much in evidence.
The march was the first radio-controlled parade in Nashua. This was made possible through a detachment from the 34th Signal Bn. SUCTHQ, Fort Devens, Mass, under the command of 1st Lt. James F. Boren. His group worked in conjunction with Attorney Frank B. Clancy, liaison officer.
A snappy outfit was the 18th Army band from Devens which drew considerable applause along the way as did the small but efficient drum and bugle corps from the US Marine Corps at Portsmouth Navy Yard.
Precision marching was displayed by all units, particularly the Army, Marines, Air Force and National Guard units and the musical organizations.
Because of the humidity and intense heat when the sun broke through the clouds, Chief Marshal Coffey ordered a couple of stops. This, coupled with the number participating in the march resulted in an almost two hour parade.
The parade was well received and it was the first time in recent years that a march drew so much applause from spectators.
Hundreds of Legionnaires and auxiliary members, headed by the new commander and president, Walter Johnston of Portsmouth and Mrs. Ethel Gapinski of Wolfeboro, took part.
With flags and banners unfurled and led by their respective musical units, members who spent several days here in above normal temperatures attending meetings, entertainment features and other matters pertaining to the American Legion, marched in unison.
Among the participating musical organization were the local Coffey post band, Nashua post, Veterans of Foreign Wars drum and bugle corps, the 18th Army band, Marine drum corps, Bennington, VT band, Braintree, Mass drum corps, Kittery, ME Kardinals band, Somersworth drum corps, Newport drum corps, Claremont drum corps, St Mary's Beverly, Mass drum corps, The Cavaliers, Franklin drum corps, Colebrook band, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Salem, Mass drum corps, Gordon-Bissell post band of Keene, Harley Sanford VFW, Milford drum corps, Holy Trinity Cadets, Boston, Sweeney post Manchester, drum corps, King's Men, FOE Fitchburg, Mass drum corps, US Youth Marine, Derry drum corps, Ricciardi-Hartsnorn Legion Milford, drum corps, Brookline drum corps, Nashua High school band and the sacred Heart academy band.
Chief of staff Williams and his staff reviewed the parade from Amherst St. near Bruce St. Among those were Judge Bolie A. Degasis, Ebol A. Carter, Dr. William Thibodeau, John V. Thesson, Dr. Nicholas J. Panigoulias, Monsignor Pierre Gamache, Joseph R. Stuard, Romeo Marquis, Dr. Mortin J. Robbins, Frederick S. Smith, James Lyons, Mr. Daniel Hagerty.
There were many police on duty who kept spectators in line and regulated traffic before, during and after the march. The local department was in charge of Chief Joseph L. Regan, the auxiliary force was headed by Inspector Lucien Vigneault and members of the NH Motor Vehicle department were in charge of Chief Inspector Sherman Williams of Newport. With the last group was Lawrence A. Landry of Amherst. There were 10 men in all and they had worked the Laconia area yesterday when the championship races were held.
Only one Legionnaire, a man in hos fifties, who was a color bearer, failed to negotiate the distance from W. Hollis St. to Holman stadium. He was pulled out of line when he felt faint as a result of the weather.
See the related photo gallery at the top of this page and the newspaper archive links below for more about the 1953 convention.
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lLArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Tv4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lLArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Tv4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gbArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Tv4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cLArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Tv4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
