Niagara Falls Gazette, June 15, 1942 HUGE PARADE CLIMAXES MAGNA CHARTA CELEBRATION WITH WAR MOTIF ADDING NEW MEANING TO INTERNATIONAL EVENT Marchers and Great Crowd Sense New Significance as They See Young Crop of Fighters Prepared for Defense of Freedom The love of free peoples for the principles of equality and justice and their determination to preserve their heritage, come what may in the form of tyrannical dictators and new-fangled governments, brought out scores of thousands of persons here Saturday night to participate in the climax to the 1942 International Veterans' Magna Charta celebration. It was the annual Magna Charta parade, retaining its peace-like spirit of revelry and rejoicing in the security of long established freedom but given a new and deeper meaning [line blurred] seem more precious when one is threatened with their loss and the threat of extinction hanging over the world's democracies undoubtedly added to the fete a firmer appreciation of the things for which Magna Charta stands. MILITARY MOTIF PREDOMINANT It was the first wartime parade in the history of the frontier celebration and it served to demonstrate[?] anew the friendship which exists between the United States and Canada-both of which trace their freedoms to the "Great Charter"-and to show in an impressive manner the way in which this friendship is being cemented again on the field of battle by another generation of fighting men of both nations. The military motif was predominant in the parade in keeping with the times. Veterans of other days, their ranks thinned by the years, marched with their berets and medals as before, but they knew that their sons were stealing the applause. And they did not mind it because they knew that at heart [line blurred] appreciated as ever. But the new day had brought new heroes and the oldsters held their heads high, had a rollicking time and won new glory in the tribute paid the young men who are following their example of other days. MAGNIFICENT PARADE The parade was a magnificent spectacle, a tribute to the genius of [line blurred] which arranged it. There were no official figures of the number of participants, but it took more than three hours to pass a given point and compared favorably in size with the great Magna Charta demonstrations of other years. The audience, too, was a mammoth one. Despite the war work and other restrictions-they were suspended for the day for marchers only-the long line of march was lined five to six rows deep on both sides of the streets, with thousands viewing the spectacle from vantage points on roofs, in windows and other elevated places. The parade orders listed [number blurred] different units. There were 50 bands and other musical groups. The Canadian marchers alone numbered more than 8,000 and took more than two hours to march across the new Rainbow bridge. Even airplanes took part for the first time as a squadron of fighting Airacobras flew over the city in battle formation as an air escort for the marchers. PRIVATE MIRRINGTON GETS GREAT APPLAUSE The reviewing stand was located at Main and Prospect streets, where Colonel Floyd D. Carlock, commandant at Fort Niagara, and Brigadier General J. A. McCuaig, of the Canadian army, took the salute from the marchers. Civic authorities of this city and Canada, parade officials, veteran's leaders and other dignitaries occupied places on the reviewing stand. Perhaps the most conspicuous figure along the route of march was Mayor Ernest W. Mirrington, Jr., making his first public appearance in the uniform of a private in the United States Army. Coming from Fort Niagara, where he had been processed as a selectee the day before, the mayor rode in an automobile with Councilmen Charles F. McDonald and John H. Keller, saluting smartly. A continuous roar of applause for the soldier-mayor followed his progress along the line. DRAFTEES IN FOREFRONT There were many features of the parade. To single out, and describe the various units which deserved praise for their marching would far exceed the limits of space. The Selective Service contingent, making its first appearance in a public demonstration here, was the cynosure of all eyes. Their smartness drew continued applause as watchers marveled that they could have so quickly absorbed the military spirit. The 74th Regiment of the New York State Guard, organized to furnish military protection for the community during the absence of the New York National Guard, was another group which reflected the history of the times. Its appearance [lines missing] military units of other days. The Canadian army, navy and [air] force commanded outstanding attention. Many of the [units were in] full battle dress, while the famous precision unit of the RCAF, which won wide fame in the film, "Capture of the Clouds" was recognized as one of the finest groups to march here in years. . . . Women's place in the present struggle was demonstrated by uniformed marching units of the United States and Canada, representing both the armed branches of the services of the two countries, the non-combatant women's organizations and the civilian defense activities in which they participate. Veterans and their auxiliaries supported in most cases by fully equipped musical units, supplied much of the color for the demonstration. There were many other featured groups, such as the Scouts, who presented a marching pageant of the history of the American flag; fraternal organizations, police, firemen and many other service organizations. Clarence Walker, in charge of the judging of the parade, listed [number missing] bands, 17 drum corps and 11 [word missing] bands. Awards were made by the judges as follows: [note: too numerous to mention here.] In addition, Philip Case, general chairman, reported that a special award was made to Women's [Air] Raid Wardens Service force, of city, as the largest local women's group and also in recognition of [their] work in entertaining the Canadian visitors and performing other services in behalf of the parade. TRAINS DELAY MARCHERS The great demonstration following [rest of article missing. Note: the line of march included having to cross the railroad tracks on Third Street near Falls Street and apparently the parade had to stop while a freight train or a passenger train passed through.]