Grayson County TXGenWeb

Denison Press
June 1, 1945

PARADE OF BOATS HERE EYE OPENER

Denison was given a demonstration of the kind of boats used by the boys in invading Okinawa and other Jap Islands early Wednesday morning when a series of big trucks loaded with landing craft from the Higgins company, New Orleans, came rolling down Main Street headed by a special car with sound devices broadcasting to the onlookers the news of the forthcoming "invasion" here on Red River Sunday.

The parade was two blocks long and the huge boats atop the big trucks presented something entirely new in the way of a street parade for Denison, a step unique in the development of Denison, the general area of the southwest, and the onward going of Red River navigation.

People stood in amazement at the sight, some of the doubting Thomases, hardly believing their eyes, but finally broke down and admitted that the scene was real and navigation and boat development for upper 'Red was bound to come in a big way.

The boats are being placed on Lake Texoma for the big demonstration next Sunday when thousands will witness the mock invasion of the Texas side by a supposed enemy.

Promise is give of the scenes to be real with smoke screens to protect the landings and with relief life boats for supposed stranded uniformed men being dropped to them as they lie helpless floundering in the waters of the big lake.

Everything that goes with a real-time war use of the Higgins landing craft will be thrown at the people and they will get to see exactly how it is done by our boys all over the fighting front as they come ashore on enemy islands to take it for victory and the cause of liberty and peace for the future generations.

The show is the first of its kind in the entire southwest and is entirely to boost the sale of the mighty Seventh War Bond event.

The main persons to bring into focus this demonstration for war time use were W.O. Harwell, secretary-manager of the Denison Chamber of Commerce and the Higgins Boat company of New Orleans.

MOCK INVATION ON RED RIVER SUNDAY
FULL DISPLAY OF HOW U.S. TAKES JAPS

Sunday June 3 Denison is to be "invaded" by friendly enemies, but it will be the real McCoy as indicating just how the boys at the front take the enemy islands and land on their soil to plant the stars and bars as represented in the insignia of the Mighty Seventh War Bond sale, a scene from Iwo Jima.

It is a life size demonstration of the real thing that goes on over the various fronts of the war where our boys are taking the enemy territory piece by piece to plant foreve the ideals of freedom and world peace, and it is to be expected to attract thousands here to the big lake and the great dam, now fast becoming the head of navigation as shown by the recent successful trip of near a thousand miles by boat from New Orleans.

THE SHOW IS FREE
While the main idea back of the demonstration is to boost the sale of war bonds in this Seventh drive, it is also to show the people just what goes on in a real invasion scene, with every angle of the landing operation at full swing.

It will be free to all, but it is hoped that everyone attending will be a bond buyer.

From the air planes will lend aid to the land craft which will be seen in large numbers approaching the lake shore, smoke screens will be employed to protect the exact spot of the U.S. Forces, while from the air boats and supplies for stranded soldiers on the lake will be dropped.

Times to a split second the entire demonstration will show well the army and navy are synchronized for such events and the scene promises to be breath-taking.

Starting at 2 in the afternoon Sunday, the events will last for something over two hours, it is stated.

Some of the boats came up stream to show that the river could be navigated, while others were brought here on huge trucks from the Higgins plant in New Orleans.

The entire show is sponsored by the War department and they have sent publicity men, advance workers, and a number of boys who have seen plenty of action in enemy territory to show the people what their money is providing for the boys at the front in winning this war.