Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Travel Tuesday - American Legion Nonstop Goodwill Tour


Spokane Daily Chronicle April 3, 1930

Autos and Planes to Greet Legion Car Tomorrow
By Grant Ware
ROSEBERG, Ore., April 3, 12:12 p.m. - Crossed two ranges of mountains last night and smooth road looks good.  Picked up Carroll Byrd, formerly of Spokane, last night at Williams and carried him to Willows.  Pulling into Roseberg and will clear Portland around 8 p.m.
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    Spokane's nonstop drivers, in southern Oregon at noon today, are expected in Spokane on schedule time at 2 o'clock to tomorrow.
    Warren W. Greenberg, vice commander of the American legion, today completed plans for a big parade at 2 o'clock tomorrow in honor of Grant Ware and Frank Smith, pilots of  the American legion nonstop car on the Spokane-Canada-Mexico tour.
    Shrieking sirens, roaring airplane motors information flight and cheering crowds will welcome the nonstop duo.  The parade will be headed by motorcycle officers.
Flyers Take Hand
   Spokane's military formation flying team, Major C.V. Haynes, Captain L.C. Sherman and Lieutenant Laurie Heral, will "pick up" the care somewhere along the Inland Empire highway and escort it to town.
    "The boys will drive direct to legion headquarters in the Dessert hotel because that is where the tour started, and we do not want to run the risk of failure by having the car stopped as a result of excitement after the boys have returned home." said Mr. Greenberg.  "As soon as the legion office has been passed the parade will start."
   Phil Hinkley of Riegel Brothers, donors of the car, announced the motor will be kept running in front of legion headquarters after the parade until 6 o'clock.
Meet at Third and Maple
   "People joining in the parade should meet the boys at Third and Maple," said Mr. Greenberg, "but they should exercise every precaution against stopping the car."
     Parade to form on Third, west to Maple, and will proceed east on Third to Post, north on Post to First to Cedar, north on Cedar to Sprague, east on Sprague to Bernard, north  on Bernard to Riverside, west on Riverside to Monroe, north on Monroe to Main to Bernard, south on Bernard to First, west on First to Post, and south on Post to legion headquarters.

PLAN BIG PARADE
   Included in the official escort will be the wife and mother of Mr. Ware. Mrs. Smith, Mr and Mrs Henry Rising, Mr Greenberg , Dr S E Rosenthal, Commissioner Ralph Hendricks, B J Hebert, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce;  Attorney Edward W Robertson, A G Tucker, Colonel Joseph K Partello and Charles Fancher Jr.

By Grant Ware
WILLOWS, Cal., April 2, 11:53 p.m.  - Made one of the finest refueling's at Fresno this morning we have made to date.  Two traffic officers rode interference for ourselves and convoy.  Also made a first oil change, although it was not  necessary; but we wanted to practice and decided not to take any chances.
   Picked up an old school friend at Fresno  and carried him for 10 miles.   He and Mrs Frank McCullough an John Stark were in the front row watching their Spokane boys operate.
    Were picked up at Lodi, by Victor H Myers, commnader of that post. On way down we turned down invitation to do through Lodi, but at his request we spent the time today,  although slightly behind schedule.  Upon parting company we were given a splendid box of rations  including fried chicken, with  the compliments of the post.
    At Sacramento we made another successful refuel and cleared town on time.  Will be out of California about 4 a.m. Car running great and both feeling fine.  Another  day of perfect weather.

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