The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-28

Members of the 208th coast ar- tillery, 1900 strong, left Waterbury at approximately 7:so this morning, roaring down through West Main street in a 2O0-truck convoy. Pro ceeding out East Main street, the trucks turned right into Hamilton avenue, and from there continued on to the Prospect road. Their des- tination is New Haven, but the mem ory of their brief stay here will not soon be forgotten.
 Mayor Vincent A. Scully accom- panied by Col. Francis Shearer, Wethersfield, commander of the regiment, rode to the Prospect line with the departing troops. Traffic along the route of the cavalcade halted for about Is minutes as the procession rumbled through the downtown area, and pedestrians paused to catch last glimpse Of the motorized column, as 1t moved swiftly, and in a seemingly endless stream.
 The 208th arrived here from Hart ford shortly after o'clock Satur- cay morning It was preceded by detail of IS men under the com mand of Capt. Merc:er, regimental plans and training officer. The ear- Her contingent staked out plans for the sites of pup tents, officers tents, mess kitchens, guard house, medical headquarters and the motorized units of the regiment.
 Immediately upon arrival, the main body of the regiment moved to the municipal stadium on Wa tertown avenue, and proceeded to pitch in the neighborhood of 750 tents; and to primp for the after noon American Legion parade.
 A luxury that evoked keen express sions of delight at the stadium, was the showers of which many availed themselves almost as soon as they arrived. Officers and personnel of the regiment declared that the re- ception accorded them surpassed thir fondest expectations.
 Shortly before D. m. Saturday, the complete regiment was moved to Freight street in trucks, point of origin of the Legion parade.
 Then the Camp Edwards army men entered the procession. and won the admiration of the thous- ands of spectators who thronged the line of march. Persons in the re- viewing stand commented upon the perfect marching order displayed by the soldiers, and interest was ex- cited by the manifold arrays of bat teries, machine guns, and search lights, and by the variety of mech anized equipment belonging to the regiment.
 Special comment was excited by the D8th band, directed by War rant Officer Michael Trentalange, the members of which are all local men, They will all be granted a 14- day furlough, beginning August 4, warrant Officer Trentalange an- nounced after the parade.
 Sunday morning a crowd of about l,500 civilians and soldiers gathered at the stadium to attend the regi- mental field Mass at 9 o'clock. Pres ent besides the soldiers and civil tar1s, were Mayor Vincent A., Scully and numerous other city officials.
 Capt. Hugh P. Carrig, chaplain of the regiment, conducted the ser vice from a pulpit erected in the center of the field, draped in white. Rev. Dr. John c. Walker, pastor of the Second Congregational church, presided over a brief Protestant ser- vice.
 The clergymen expressed consider able satisfaction over the size of the turnout, and Father Carrig in par- ticular evidenced delight in the in- terest manifested by citizens of Wa terbury.
 Hundreds of visitors during the day milled about the municipal stadium. Many of them stayed to watch the city amateur league base ball games between the Tribunes and the Sacred Heart Pals, and between the Brooklyn A. c. and