Dear Friends,
As we approach March 17th, I would like to take a moment and wish each and everyone of you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day. The signs of Spring's approach are all around us and I cannot think of anything that signals the onset of the season better than the many St. Patrick's dances, ceilis and parades that celebrate the culture of the Irish.
The history of the Irish in America is a long, and proud one. The contribution that Irish immigrants, and their descendants, have made are what helped make this country great. Many of those that crossed the Atlantic in the hopes of finding a better life, rose to be politicians, leaders of business, and proud Americans. Their struggle to overcome prejudice, injustice and discrimination is a true testament to the determination and pride that the Irish Spirit possesses.
The Irish served their new country with great pride as sailors and soldiers in units like the 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Fighting 69th". They also protected life and property as policemen and firemen with the NYPD and FDNY, and they made cities like New York a better place to live while working with the Department of Sanitation. From service positions in hotels, restaurants and taverns, to teaching and nursing jobs, the Irish acclimated to their new home and proudly honored their new country, as they fondly remembered their old home.
The impact of the Irish can be seen everywhere you look. Our pride and dedication is unending. As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, please remember those that have lead the way for us. Let us honor them and share the love of our heritage in an honorable and respectful way. May the Luck of the Irish stay with you, and May God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand.
Slainte'
Tommy O'Connor,
President
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