Spectators were massed in front of the Union Station (with some on the roof) in this old photographic post card, at the time of the 1921 American Legion Convention in Kansas City, Oct. 30 and 31 and Nov.1. The huge crowd was gathered to hear dedication speeches for the ground for the proposed Liberty Memorial, just south of the station on Pershing Road. The Legion convention was the largest ever held in Kansas City, with 60,000 veterans marching in review before the five World War I military leaders. They were Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander in chief of the allied forces; Admiral David Beatty, commander of the British navy; Baron Jacques, commander in chief of the Belgium army; Gen. Armando Diaz, commander in chief of the Italian army, and Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force.The distinguished guests and their staffs were entertained during the day at the homes of Kansas Citians, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Long, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. Loose, and Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Kirkwood. Another guest, Vice President Calvin Coolidge, stayed at the home of Walter S. Dickey. Kansas City Times, October 28, 1974.
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