Nashua's Biggest Nov 11 Parade in Years; President John F. Kennedy Bust is Unveiled
From the Nashua Telegraph, 11 Nov 1965. page 1
The cadence of drums and the flutter of flags filled the downtown area this morning as one of the largest veterans Day parades in recent years moved down Main St.
Brief but impressive dedication services of the John F. Kennedy memorial at the City Hall plaza easily qualified as the most touching moment in today's parade which had two other unique touches.
These were a citizen's division led by Philip T. Lamoy, president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the Hudson American Legion post and its auxiliary who marched in the third division.
'Win in Vietnam'
A large banner carried by the postal carriers and inscribed with 'Win in Vietnam' drew rounds of applause from the thousands of spectators who lined Main St. Among the marching postal workers was Mayor-elect Dennis J. Sullivan.
The marchers mustered at Lake St. and departed on the route of the parade at 10:45. They halted at City Hall where taps was sounded and a memorial service was conducted for Spanish-American War and World War I veterans.
Mayor Mario J. Vagge and Cecelia Winn, chairman of the Kennedy memorial drive committee, unveiled the bronze bust of the late president. Vagge hailed Kennedy as a "great veteran" and introduced Miss Winn.
She stressed Kennedy's valor and courage in her talk and his refusal to take the course of least resistance. "To me Veterans' Day was the ideal day to dedicate this memorial to John F. Kennedy because courage as well as compassion were essential ingredients of his character," Miss Winn declared.
"This monument should kindle a flame of human decency and give the citizens of Nashua courage and dedication that should not die. It rests with us, the citizens of Nashua, to give a renewed sense of high national purpose.
"It rests with us to labor with humility and forbearance to raise the sights of our city and make Nashua a better place to live in."
In his address as chairman of the Nashua Area Veterans Council, Michael J. Dell Isola urged veterans to strive to keep the spirit of the late president alive.
The Nashua High school band concluded the dedication program by rendering "God Bless America."
Flocks of children gathered around the memorial as parade officials departed. They gazed at the bust resting on its shaft and base of black granite. On the front of the shaft is inscribed the following: "In memoriam, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. On January 25, 1960 this city hall plaza was John F. Kennedy's first campaign stop in the nation for the presidency of the United States of America."
The rear of the shaft featured the following excerpt from Kennedy's inaugural address: "Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage."
Sculptor of the bust is Evangelos W. Frudakis of West Westminster, Vt.
From City Hall the marchers, headed by a color guard of naval reservists from Lowell, continued to Deschenes Oval. There the main address was given by the Rev. Warren J. Regan, administrator of St. Patrick's church and speaker of the day.
The parade moved to the oval under direction of Michael J. Dell Isola, chairman of the Nashua Area Veterans council and chief marshal. Serving as chief of staff was James W. Clemons, commander of the gate City chapter, Disabled Veterans and liaison officer was Roland Caron, past commander of the American Legion post.
Pass In Review
Reviewing activities in front of the city hall were Mayor Mario J. Vagge, city officials, Gold Star Mothers, parade officials and invited guests. A pre-parade breakfast for the group was held with the mayor as host. Catherine M. Bacigalupo, sister-in-law of the mayor, represented Mrs. Vagge at the breakfast and poured coffee for the guests.
Gold star mothers in attendance included Mrs. Clarice Vachon, Mrs. Eugene Ackley, Mrs. Cecelia Lemieux, Mrs. Catherine Pitarys, Mrs. Eva Belanger, Mrs. Exelia Bilodeau, Mrs. Agnes Nute, Mrs. Clara Farwell, Mrs. Irene Mercler and Mrs. Frank Mansfield.
Among invited guests were: Mrs. Christine Mason of the Yankee Division auxiliary; Mrs. Mason's granddaughter, Mary Ann Burnham; Mrs. Bertha Nash, past president of the American Legion auxiliary; Mrs. Josephine Paine, member of the Kennedy Memorial committee; Mrs. Madelyn Primus, secretary of World War I Barracks 39 auxiliary who represented the president, Mrs. Dorothy Williams.
Musical Units
Five bands and a drum and bugle corps furnished invigorating music and ripples of color during the parade. Participating were bands from the American Legion post, Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Nashua High school, Spring Street Junior High and the Pelham Starlighters drum and bugle corps.
Chief Albert L. Tanguay headed the fire department delegation and Lt. Michael Patinsky did the same for the police department.
Nashua Elks Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops carried flags of deceased veterans, including one which had belonged to Sgt. Robert L. Gardner of Nashua, first New Hampshire man to be killed in Vietnam.
The corner of Main and Park sts. was the review point for the chief marshal and the general staff. Among those n the general staff were former Gov. Hugh Gregg; Eliot A. Carter, YDVA; Maj. Lake Munday, USAR; Capt. Winford Labombarde; Lt. Samuel Curtis, USA(ret); U.S. Marshal Paul G. april; U.S. Atty. for NH Louis M. Janelle; Selective Service director Oscar N. Grandmaison; Alderman-at-large John V. Chesson; Elias Decoteau, past commander VFW; Col. Carl Amelio, USAR; George Papadopoulos, state commander DAV; Diane Vaillancourt, hospital apprentice U.S. Navy; Robert Paine, past commander DAV; Lt. Col. Charles Fortin, AFR; James Clemons; Lt. Col. Frank Belitsky, USA(ret).
In charge of the program at the oval was Richard J. Melton, president of the day. Assisting him with arrangements were Benedict Hargreaves, chairman, and Mrs. Jeanne Schofield, secretary-treasurer.
Rabbi Bela Fischer of Temple Beth Abraham and Rev. Robert D. Samuelson, pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, chaplains of the day, offered prayers during memorial ceremonies. Included in the program were band selections, prayers, the sounding of taps and the firing of three volleys.
The raising of the flag to full staff and the playing of the national anthem concluded the program.
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