From the front page of the Nashua Telegraph Monday June 21, 1982. "The bands played loudly and the Legionnaires marched proudly for the entertainment and approval of a highly-appreciative crowd. The parade was the closing ceremonies yesterday of the 64th N.H. Department American Legion convention, hosted this year by the James E. Coffey Post 3, Nashua. The day began with a color guard, honor guard and Sons of the American Legion competition at Holman Stadium in the morning. In the afternoon, thousands of adults and youngsters lined the line of march to view a 10-division parade which stepped off at 1 from the stadium. In ceremonies at the Main street bridge, the outgoing state officials stepped down and were replaced by their successors. The best looking group in the color guard competition was the host group in the Coffey Post, strutting across the field seven abreast. Peterborough Post 5 placed second, with Tilton Post 49 and Gordon-Bissell Post 4, Keene tied for third place in the contest for most impressive squad of standard-bearers. Sons of the Legion honors went to Jaffrey Post 11, with Greenville Post 13 taking second place in the two-party field. The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary color guard winner was Peterborough Post 5; second place was taken by Greenville Post 13. The honor guard contest was won outright by Tilton Post 49, a high-stepping group of former soldiers who knew each step of their complicated routine by heart. One of the judges was certainly shocked and almost deafened as the group made a final turn during the judging and let loose a gun salute. The judge was standing about 10 feet away and looked right down the rifle barrels as the group prepared to fire. Second place in this event was also taken by Greenville Post 13. followed by Ricciardi-Hartshorm Post 23, Milford. Each of the high-stepping groups performed to martial music played alternately by two of the state's prize-winning marching bands - the Keene American Legion band, led by National Committeeman Ray Olmstead, and the Coffey Post band, led by Charles Colletta. The vanguard of the march down Amherst Street to Main Street was B Battery, 172nd Battalion, N.H. National Guard, Nashua, which marched behind six heavy Howitzer cannons, towed by truck. It was preceded by a police cruiser. Other groups joining the march were American Legion auxiliary units from throughout the state, smart-stepping color guards, various musical organizations, the First New Hampshire Regiment, a recreated troop from the early history of Nashua; a Nashua Boy Scout troop, and Miss Rockingham County, the railroad-engine-like parade float put together by Voiture 70 of the 40 and 8, an American Legion organization basing its name on the 40 men and eight horses needed to draw American boxcars in World War I. Previous Department Commander Robert Dinsmore of Plaistow gave way to incoming Commander George West in a ceremony held across the street from the Telegraph building. N.H. Department Auxiliary President Sandra Leeds of Hooksett was succeeded by Eldora Heneault of Newport. Announcements were made later for the best marching band - Keene, followed by the Nashua musicians - and the best district marching unit, won by District 2, which includes Nashua, Milford, Greenville, and other towns in South-Central New Hampshire. Link to "Coffey Post Color Guard is Winner" https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HqUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=... Link to "Convention Highlights" https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HqUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=...
