Niagara Falls Gazette, June 14, 1943 AMERICAN-CANADIAN UNITY IN WAR AND PEACE SYMBOLIZED BY PARADE MARKING CLIMAX OF MAGNA CHARTA Uniformed Men and Women, Veterans' Groups and Civilians of Both Countries Parade Through Cheering Throng in Border Fete. "Marching Along Together" were the words appearing alongside pictures of Uncle Sam and Johnny Cannuck carried in the Magna Charta parade Saturday night. And [word missing] the thousands of enthusiastic marchers, who lined the entire line of march for the gala event of the International Veterans Magna Charta celebration, they summarized the spirit of the occasion. Canada and the United States-marching along together in war-in an all-out production effort and in the peace that is bound to come after the present conflict. CROWD APPLAUDS MARCHERS Typifying that belief was the character of the parade itself that saw military units of both great nations sharing the applause of the huge[?] crowds along with the American and Canadian veterans of the previous World War, the semi-military groups and the snappy uniformed bands. As in previous years, throngs six and seven deep in many places [manned?] curbstones from Ontario Avenue and Main street to the end of the line at Third and Niagara streets to view the outstanding spectacle of the year. And it was a happy, appreciative crowed that [words blurred] worries about fighting sons and daughters [lines blurred] to the advantageous spots or carried crates of chairs of all description to watch the parade with greater comfort and enjoy the estimated [number missing] marchers representing 165 [copy faint]. DELAYS ELIMINATED Due to the change in parade [routes?] from previous years as indicated[?] by Philip A. Case, general chairman and organizer of the international event, the parade was remarkable for its smoothness. . . . Because there were no railroad track to cross the length of the [march?] the units followed each other [missing words] the precision and there was [no?] case of having to wait for minutes for the succeeding units to [come?] into view. Naturally taking a great share of the applause-and cheers-were the American and Canadian uniformed young men and women of the active forces. There were well trained units from Fort Niagara, complete with [words missing] dress, and leading off this were 50 veterans for the Tunisian campaign who are convalescing at the fort. Great interest, too, was shown in the jeeps and command[?] cars. Making its initial appearance in the city was a unit of smartly uniformed and alert-appearing members of the Women's Army Auxiliary corps. There was a number of other feminine units that also made their marching debut in the Magna Charta lineup and among them were the Red Cross Motor[?] corps and the Niagara Falls [unit?] of the American Women's Volunteer Service. . . . OFFICIALS IN LINE [The list of officials is a long one which included dignitaries, mayors, councilmen, Canadian aldermen and government/military representatives from both countries.] Also in the reviewing stand and the center of a great deal of attention were Staff Sergeant George Williams, of this city; Staff Sergeant Winsel S. Drake of At[__?__], Iowa, and Private Louis [__?__] of Lodi, N. J., wounded soldiers[?] of the war and all wearers of the purple heart. [rest of column equally difficult to read] CANADIAN MARCHERS CONSPICUOUS Well liked too was the precision marching of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian [__?__] units, whose exaggerated arm swing and almost symmetrical step was a constant source of amazement to watchers. . . . Giving additional military flavor to the entire proceedings was a group of airplanes that flew the length of the parade route, sometimes in V formation and other times singly. Critically watching the marchers and the musicians was a group of judges who after consultation announced the organizations and units which in their opinion were outstanding. Chief of the judges was Past commander Clarence Walker, of the John J. Welch post, while others included [again a list of individuals from both countries]. THE WINNERS They listed outstanding among non-competing contestants the Royal Canadian Air Force, Fort Niagara troops and band . . . [and again the list goes on to include veterans organizations, women's service groups from Niagara Falls, New York (and Ontario), and " the most distant unit to appear was the Lord Tweedsmuir Canadian Legion of Toronto, Ont."] STAGE PRECISION DRILL One of the finest exhibitions of precision drill was given Saturday afternoon in Falls street by the Royal Canadian Air Force, commanded by Group Captain McDonald and the drill in charge of Flight Lieutenant Loosely. Crossing the border at 1:45 p.m. they were met at the Rainbow bridge by a color party from Fort Niagara and a group of United States officers, headed by Lieut. Col. Aufflinger, Lieut. Colonel John J. Harris and Lieut. Col. Stronburg. Proper respect was paid to the two countries at the international border line. Coming into the United States, the RCAF, headed by a 90-piece band, was met by a platoon of U. S. WAAC, commanded by Lieut. E. Bayley and police escort on motorcycles. The area between First and Main streets in Falls street, was cleared of all cars as the snappy airmen went into the precision drill all [line blurred] without command, and for a period of 30 minutes, there was something that those who were fortunate to witness will remember for a long time, the airmen receiving a splendid ovation. The Royal Canadian Air Force then proceeded to the north end of the city and returned by the way of the Whirlpool bridge, and then returned later to take part in the parade. The WAAC also paraded with the RCAF to the north end of the city . . . .