During August 16-21, 1926, Susanville was a festive place. It was the host of the statewide American Legion Convention. That was a tremendous feat by the local American Legion Post named after Thomas Tucker, a Maidu, and Susanville’s first casualty in World War I.

The community gave the some 3,000 attendees the proverbial red carpet treatment. Buildings were decorated with patriotic bunting or adorned with the American Flag, and some times both. Two parades were held that week. The first one was mid-week in the convention, which featured numerous floats, decorated cars and an assorted lot. There were the Santa Barbara Legionnaires, dubbed the “bathing beauties” with the men wearing gunny sacks, displaying their knobby knees. The second parade was a bit more dignified with the veterans marching down Main Street from the Elks Lodge to the newly constructed Veteran’s Memorial Building.

Tim