From the pages of the Nashua Telegraph, 31 May 1966, page 3.
"Impressive ceremonies highlighted the city's annual observance of memorial Day yesterday. More than 16,000 persons viewed a five-division parade when it passed in review under clear and sunny skies. Several memorial tributes preceded the parade. They were held at Woodlawn cemetery, Edgewood cemetery, Soldiers' Monument, the Main St. bridge and Deschenes Oval. Brig. Gen. Harrison R. Thyng, who retired from the US Senate, was speaker-of-the-day at ceremonies in Foster square.
Cites Danger
Thyng traced the struggle of this country since its Declaration of Independence and warned we must keep this independence. He cited the dangers of Communist aggression and made an urgent plea for its suppression.
""We must realize we are faced with losing our heritage unless we accept the responsibility which goes with freedom, "" he said.
The ace World War Two combat pilot rapped the "beatniks" and "Peaceniks" and said "we cannot tolerate internal moral decay." He said we need men of honor and character and dignity who will stand firm in this country's freedom and that we must have "national objectives to protect our nation and have the courage to fight for those objectives. Let us make it fashionable to fly the flag and be proud of being and American."
An address by US Rep James C. Cleveland highlighted the memorial service of James E. Coffey post, American Legion, at Deschenes Oval.
The posting of the colors, a color guard and the invocation by Rev Walter C. Righter, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd and chaplain-of-the-day preceded Cleveland's address and followed with a musical selection by the Coffey post band, with Robert Spence conducting; the firing squad; sounding of "Taps", and benediction. The Legionnaires were headed by Commander Benedict Hargreaves.
Cleveland Reports
In his talk, Cleveland called these the "difficult times, and likened them to the three previous wars. "Most of us are concerned," he said, "that the cause of freedom is threatened." He said the we cannot afford to give up South Vietnam on the false pretense that only then can we have "peace in our time." "Let's keep the faith with those who have made the supreme sacrifice." Cleveland then read a poem written by a Nashuan. Samuel P. Burns of 4 Ferson St. At the time the poem was written Burns was a private in the 3rd infantry, the famed "Merrill's Marauder."
The poem reads:
Dear Lord, support us all the day long, till the fever of battle is hushed, and our work is done. Give us the strength to be steadfast; faith and courage to be bold -- grant us the gift of patience on this weary, toilsome road. Let us keep looking for the bright skies and hope that the sun soon shall rise. Let us serve our country with honor, for there are those who trust and believe in us; let us be true to our dreams and ideals, for there are those who care. Give us the grace to smile when the clouds are darkest -- and above all, let us be "good soldiers" -- loyal and true to the cause for which we are fighting.
"Dear god, guard Old Glory through the grime of battle, that our loved ones may not lose faith. Keep them hopeful for the bigger and better things, in the days that are to come. Oh God, let us keep faith with those who have made their last supreme sacrifice -- that they shall not have died in vain. Bless and consecrate us who take up the torch, with a fierce, unyielding pride that we are Americans, ready to die, if need be, as Americans, without fear or regret. Then in Thy Goodness, Dear Lord, bring us home soon, to safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last. Amen"
The parade began at 11 am and marchers followed a route starting at Foster Square to Lock St., to Main St., to Kinsley St., across Main St. where the parade was dismissed.
Head March
Heading the parade as chief marshal was Roland Caron, an army veteran and a past commander of James E. Coffey post. His chief of staff was Dennis W. Drumm. World War Two veteran who served with the 100th Infantry division. He is a past commander of the Legion. Serving as the liaison officer was Matthew Lynch of the Coffey post. The exercises were presided over by Atty. Joseph F. Gall, president-of-the-day.
Mayor Dennis J. Sullivan and Mrs. Sullivan, other city officials, the Gold Star Mothers and invited guests reviewed the parade from the steps of the city hall.
Seven musical organizations participated. They included the Nashua High School band, the James E. Coffey post band, American Legion band, the Veterans of Foreign Wars band; Spring St. and Fairgrounds Junior High school bands; the Nashua Sabres Drum and Bugle corps and the Elks Trojans Drum and Bugle corps.
During the parade, the march was halted in front of city hall as the Nashua Sabres presented the Gold Star mothers with a bouquet of yellow roses. Making the presentation to Mrs. Irene Mercier, president, was Karen Dearborn, corps marshal.
One of the most touching moments of the parade came near the end of the long march. Boy Scouts, Elks troop No. 720 and Cub Scouts, Elks pack No. 720, paused momentarily before the reviewing stand carrying the flags of dead veterans.
As Scouts carried 38 flags, the Cub Scouts carried a long banner with the name of the deceased veterans the flags represented.
Committee chairman was Earle F. Wesson, past commander, American Legion and secretary was Mrs. Jeanne Schofield. Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary, Infant Jesus Church.
Link: Telegraph archive 28 May, 1966
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bqwrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
Link: Telegraph archive 31 May, 1966
https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YKwrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
