From the front page of the Nashua Telegraph - Nashua Honors Its War Dead.
"A blend of young and old participants, from scouts to veterans, and varied musical organizations, provided a colorful spectacle yesterday when Nashua paid tribute to the war dead in its annual Memorial Day parade. Area communities staged similar observances.
Thousands viewed the parade as it moved here from Orange Street to Concord Street to Simoneau Plaza under ideal weather conditions. The march was reviewed by Gold Star Mothers and city officials from a stand in front of the City Hall.
Heading the musical groups was a top military outfit -- the United States Air force Band from the Tactical Air Command, Langley Field, Va. The airmen stepped out smartly, playing and marching in a well-coordinated fashion.
Passing in review were the award-winning Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, Nashua High School Marching band, and American Legion Band.
There were no traditional exercises featuring a guest speaker in conjunction with the yearly tribute for the first time since the observance was instituted many years ago. However, the James E. Coffey Post, American Legion, held its Memorial Day service at Deschenes Oval, with Vietnam War veteran, Chief Warrant Officer Thomas J. Potter Jr., (Army-Ret.), as the speaker (see photo). Ernest Ledoux, commander of the post, headed arrangements.
The Legion ceremonies followed memorial services at Woodlawn Cemetery, Edgewood, Cemetery, Soldiers Monument, (Service for All-Unknown Dead), and at east side of Main Street Bridge, (Service for Sailors Dead).
Features included the First New Hampshire Regiment and Colonial Ladies dressed in Revolutionary War period costumes, two girls on horseback, the VFW Military Order of the Cootie train, and 40th Georgia Infantry.
Presiding officials were Alan C. Thomaier, president-of-the-day, who marched; Stanislaus Gagnon, chief marshal, and George Benjamin, chief of Staff, World War I veterans and longtime members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, who rode in a car along the line of march. The marshal's aides were Albert Biron and Louis Bergeron; they marched.
Among musical organizations with divisions in a 10-division parade were the Suburbanettes, Gary Owen Drum and Bugle Corps, Elm Street and Fairgrounds Junior High Bands, Sana Salena Girls' Drill Team and the Trojans Drum and Bugle Corps.
Participants included members of veterans organizations, Boys and Girls Scouts, Cubs and Brownies; Nashua Lodge of Elks and Knights of Columbus.
The parade chairman was Royal Miller, VFW Post commander and past commander of the Coffey Post, American Legion. The general chairman of the Joint Committee in charge was James Clemons, past chapter and state commander of the Disabled American Veterans, and Mrs. Jeanne Johnston, past president of Catholic War veterans Auxiliary 1700, Infant Jesus Parish, who served as secretary-treasurer.
The Police and Fire Departments were represented, together with baton-twirling youngsters, color guards, majorettes and other features.
A Red Cross emergency team was on duty, but no unusual incidents were reported."
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