From the front page of the Nashua Telegraph 30 May 1974
" The annual Memorial Day parade marched on slightly behind schedule this morning, despite the damp weather and the fact that potential viewers had to spend the day on the job.
The small crowd which strung along the fringes of Main street was made up mostly of pupils who had the day off, mothers with children in hand, and elderly folks who must have remembered the days when the was a much looked-for event.
The commemoration of Memorial Day included a six-division parade which was preceded by several memorial services for the nation's war dead.
The first service was held in Woodlawn Cemetery at 9 AM; followed by one in Edgewood Cemetery at 9:15; at the Soldier's Monument at 9:30; the Main St. Bridge at 9:45 fpr the Sailor Dead by the Navy Mothers' Club; and the American Legion Services in Deschenes Oval at 10.
Local NH National Guard units, the Revolutionary War NH Regiment, several veterans organizations, student bands, and Boy and Girl Scout troops were included in the line of march.
The parade was reviewed by Mayor Dennis J. Sullivan and the Gold Star Mothers ad they stood at the steps of City Hall, and it continued toward Simoneau Plaza after brief ceremonies were held.
Although in the past, most people would suspend their holiday's activities to view the parade, this tradition has declined over the years and was dealt anear-crippling blow when the NH Legislature and the federal government couldn't agree on an appropriate date to honor fallen soldiers of past wars.
The confusion began last year when state government decided that it was more patriotic to commemorate the day on its traditional date, while Congress passed a law to accommodate those who prefer long weekends rather than a mid-week break.
Problems arose when businesses in the state had to remain open during the New Hampshire observance because of their out-of-state business activity. Moreover, several school districts in the state decided to follow the federal observance although Nashua schools were closed today.
Serving as Chief of Staff for the parade was Roland Caron, of the James E. Coffey Post American Legion; the Chief Marshal was Capt. Douglas Lapierre, US Navy Ret.; Albert Coffey of the American Legion was the liaison officer, while Leo Sirois, also of the American Legion, served as his assistant. James Clemons was the parade committee chairman, and Mrs. Jeanne Schofield, president of the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary, served as the committee's secretary-treasurer."
