From the Nashua Telegraph, Friday June 22, 1962, Pg 13
”A nine-division parade, followed by drum corps competition Sunday afternoon, will climax the 44th annual state convention of the American Legion and its auxiliary in Nashua.
More than 40,000 adults and youngsters, many coming from communities outside Nashua, are expected to view the colorful march featuring bands , drum corps units and majorettes.
Scores of Legionnaires arrived in the city last night and early today for the opening session held in the Junior High school auditorium. The department session was called to order shortly after 10 am today by State Commander Lester H. Perham of Milford, a World War II Navy veteran. Welcoming the visitors was Mayor Mario J. Vagge.
The city, its merchants, business-owners and residents is expected to make an all-out effort, with emphasis on hospitality, said A. Charles Lindsay (pictured), president of the convention corporation.
Yesterday the state auxiliary, headed by Mrs. Evelyn Brooks of Winnisquam, opened its three-day convention. Last night, the 8 and 40, with Mrs. Laura Auclair of Nashua, chapeau departmentale, held a dinner-meeting at the McNulty-Foley Rose room.
40-8 Parade Tonight
Several features will mark tonight's activities, including the annual 40 and 8 parade. The parade will start at 8 pm from East Hollis St., move to Main St. to Amherst St. to the Holman stadium, where a softball game will be played between the California Cuties and a local All-Star team. The game is sponsored by the A.L. and the Park-Recreation commission and proceeds will go to the Nashua Unit for Retarded Children.
Preceding the parade and stadium activity will be a lobster cookout in the Junior High from 5 to 7:30 pm.
Department convention headquarters is the Junior High school, the state auxiliary's is the Crowley school and the 40 and 8 will meet at the Legion home on Court St.
Business Sessions
Both the department and auxiliary will hold business sessions Saturday. The women will hold their annual elections in the late morning, with installation ceremonies in the afternoon.
The department will hold its nomination of state officers late this morning with the election of officers and delegates and alternates to the national convention Saturday afternoon. The office of state commander looms as a wide open race. Among the candidates for state offices is Frederick M. Clemons, past commander of the Coffey post here. He seeks the office of department historian.
The election of various district officers is scheduled for Saturday morning. It is understood Donald Ellingwood, past commander of the Coffey post, is a candidate for district 2 commander.
Numerous awards will be announced by the department Saturday afternoon, together with several committee reports.
Diplomat To Speak
An address by Robert c. Hill of Littleton, former US ambassador to Mexico, will feature the convention dinner in the Jr. High auditorium Saturday night at 6:30. Hill has had a colorful diplomatic career, including duty in Costa Rica and El Salvador.
A get-together will follow at Pulaski park and it will include entertainment, dancing and refreshments.
Sunday morning, a Child Welfare breakfast will be held in the Salvation Army home on Temple St.
Local committee members for the auxiliary convention are Mrs. Francis Joyce, chairman, Mrs. Doris Cote and Mrs. Herman Barker, co-chairman and Mrs. Anna Clemons, Mrs. Caryle LaFavor, Mrs. Gloria Fitzgerald, Eva Kazlouskas, Mrs. Marion Lecius, Mrs. Mabell Johnson and on hospitality, all past unit presidents with Mrs. Zelma Durst as chairman.
Expect Top Convention
The state American Legion convention here is the first since the centennial year if 1953. Convention officials said they expect the Nashua convention to top all previous statewide sessions.
The big parade will start at 1 pm. the line of march is Lake St. to Main St. to Amherst St. to Holman stadium where the drum corps contest will be held.
In addition to the various post bands expected to participate, passing in review will be the highly - regarded drum corps: St. Kevens, Boston, the Cambridge, Mass. Caballeros and the Braintree Warriors and from this state, the Milford Spartans, Rochester Graniteers and the Portsmouth Golden Eagles.
Chief marshal will be SFC Felix Ratoff, (Army-ret), with a staff of Roger II Charron, U.S. Air Force, Clifford Ennis, (Navy-ret) and Leo r. Laflamme, U.S. Marine Corps.
Lead Nashua Units
Heading the Coffey post and auxiliary marchers will be Commander Ray E. Wesson and Mrs. Doris Cote, president and Mrs. Anna Clemons, president-elect.
Deputy Police Chief John A. Webster said all available police and also members of the auxiliary force will be assigned to parade duties. It is expected outside Nashua police may assist local personnel in keeping spectators in line and with traffic details."
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