From the front page of the Nashua Telegraph Nov, 10, 1979.
Special services dedicated to those who fought in World War I and a six-division parade will highlight Nashua's observance of Veterans Day tomorrow.
Beginning the day (9:00AM) will be a presentation of wreaths at six city memorials ...
All units will later assemble in the vicinity of the Elm Street Junior High School for the parade, which will step off at 10:15. The route will run from south to north this year, contrary to the usual pattern. The switch was made as a compromise with Main Street church officials, who objected that Sunday morning exercised would disrupt church services. The reversal will still allow the parade participants to halt at the World War I Monument at City Hall for traditional services at 11:00 AM, the hour at which the armistice ending hostilities took effect in 1918.
Ceremonies there will include a speaking program featuring former Gov. Meldrim Thomson, and a wreath presentation at the WWI monument by Howard Williamson, commander of Barracks 39, Veterans of World War I, and Madlyn Primus, president of the Barracks' Auxiliary. Thomson replaces Roger Crowley, who was originally scheduled to speak.
Byron Buckingham, past commander of Gate City Chapter 7, Disabled American Veterans, will be president of the day, with Donald M. Pinkham, the DAV chapter chaplain, serving as chaplain of the day. Robert Paine, a past commander of the chapter, will be chief of staff, and present Commander Thomas Michaud will be parade marshal.
Serving as liaison to the other major veterans groups will b Albert Biron, past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 483 of Nashua, and Donald Desrosiers, past commander of the James E. Coffey Post 3, American Legion of Nashua.
Other groups participating in the parade and ceremonies are the Catholic War Veterans and its Auxiliary, from both St. Louis de Gonzague and Holy Infant Jesus parishes, Nashua, and the First New Hampshire Regiment.
Thomson held the office of governor for three terms, and is author of the book, "Live Free or Die." Last month, he announced his candidacy for president. He announced his intention to run on a new third party ticket. The Constitution Party, which Thomson founded, was incorporated in New Hampshire last Nov. 2. The program featuring his talk will be presented in front of the City Hall. Buckingham, who is parade chairman as well as president of the day was a U.S. Army infantry staff sergeant in the European theater of operations in World War II. He is a former aide to the DAV national commander.
Chief of Staff Paine served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II. He took part in the invasions of Tarawa and Saipan, and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was the first commander of the Nashua DAV chapter and is a past state commander of the Marine Corps League.
Michaud is a charter member of the Nashua DAV chapter as well as the present commander. He served four years with the U.S. Army paratroopers in Africa and Europe in World War II.
In addition to preparing for tomorrow's ceremonies, the Joint Veterans Committee also sponsored the fourth annual Veterans Day ball last week.
The dance, held at St. Patrick's Center, featured the Grand March led by Biron, general chairman of the veterans committee. A ceremonial Posting of the Colors was also held....
....THIRD DIVISION in the parade will be Division Marshal Benedict Hargreaves, past commander of Coffey Post 3; James E. Coffey Post Color Guard; Coffey Post members, under Commander Gary Johnson; James E. Coffey Post Band; James E. Coffey Unit, American Legion Auxiliary....
