Evening star., 1947-08-31
2 Million Cheer
.As65,000
|nLegionP Parade
900 From District
Join in CoIorful
5th Avenue Spectacle
By George Beveridse
Sfnr Stnff fnrrasnnnAank

NEW YORK, Aug. 30.-Ameri-
can Legionnaires in a seemingly
never ending array today
up Fifth Avenue. the
street where the Nation greeted
its conquering heroes of two
World Wars. The mighty process
sion was cheered by more than
100000 onlookers.
The parade ended tonight with
Army searchlights lighting the area
around the reviewing stand as the
last of the thousands of veterans
tramped by.
The size of the crowd was esti-
mated by Thomas Mulligan, first
deputy police commissioner. Com
missiond Arthur w. Wallender had
mobilized 5000 men to police the
parade route but practically no diff
ficulties were reported.
Pulse-tingling music for the esti-
mated $1,000 marchers was provided
by scores of bands and drum corps.
Units from the Army, Navy and
Marines took part in the parade.
But primarily it was a procession
of Legionnaires from every State in
the Union and many foreign lands.
marching to honor the dead and
living who VIGOROUSLY fought two
great wars.
O'Dwyer Leads at Start.
The l2-hour parade was led by
Mayor William ODwyer of New
York City, Legionnaire himself and
a brigadier general in World War
II, as it Started off at 34th street,
the Empire State Building. At And
street the Mayor dropped out and
entered the reviewing stand.
Banter was exchanged by some
of the Legionnaires with the friendly
confetti-throwing crowd along the
avenue, but many marched with
eyes straight ahead and chests out
in military fashion.
There were a few sprinkles of rain
but breeze whipped up the massed
flags along the avenue and the
temperature was low enough to
take the edge off the discomfort
of the muggy atmosphere.
More than 600 District Legion
naires joined in the parade.
Gov. Dewey, honored at more
functions than any other guest at
the convention, sat in the flag
bedecked reviewing stand beside
Mayor ODWyer and Legion Com
mander Paul H. Griffith to watch
the colorful procession of march,
ers, bands and floats.
District Unit in Front.
At the front of the parade was
the national guard of honor, COM
posed of 100 District Legionnaires
and led by James C. Clarke. Musical
units representing the District in
cluded the James Reece Europe
and the Fort Stevens Drum and
Bugle Corps.
In aerial tribute, 18 B-29s and
flight of P-80 fighters thundered
overhead. A detachment of West
Point cadets was among the march,
ers.
One of the crowds favorites was
bright yellow jalopy, which reared
back on two wheels every few yards.
Sporting a winged red horse on
its hood, the cars sides were painted
with the announcement, Lawrence
burg, Indiana-Never Heard of It."
The car was followed by an ancient
covered wagon, driven by delegates
from Nebraska.
Every four blocks along the line Of
march, a first aid station was set
up, with a "walkie-ta -talkie" operator
nearby to call an ambulance If
necessary.
Many NOtables In Ranks
There were many notables in the
ranks, including severe! governors.
Harold E. Stassen, former Minne-
sofa Governor and a candidate for
the Republican Presidential nomina-
ton next year. was in his states
delegation, one Of the early units
in the parade.
The Florida contingent was led by
Gov. Mlllard Caldwell. The march,
ers bore banners reading: Its
Miami in 1948." Miami Is bidding
for next years convention.
Paul v. McNutt, one time Legion
national commander and former
high commissioner to the Philip
pines, marched in the Indiana unit.
Steaks broiled over a charcoal
fire made tantalizing aroma from
the Wisconsin float, which also had
a log cabin and a fisherman dis
playing six-foot catch.
A cowboy band led a Denver,
Colo, post while the Nebraska con-
tingent featured a covered wagon
drawn by two oxen and containing
a couple dressed in pioneer clothes.
Connecticut marchers we're dressed
in red coats. cream-colored trousers
and black leggings in the style of
1776.
A group of Indians wearing feath-
(See LEGION, Page A-3J
Al - "a 80