In the early dawn hours of April 12th, 1861 a shell from a 10-inch mortar exploded over Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, the first shot in Americaâs Civil War which would claim over 600,000 lives.  Three days later, President Lincoln put out a call for 75,000 volunteers from the state militia to join the Army in helping to put down the rebellion and preserve the Union. On … [Read more...] about The NY 69th, âRiamh Nar Dhruid O Spairn Iannâ
History
Sergent Major Dan Daly “The fightinest Marine”
In the nearly 150 year history of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States Highest award âconspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of dutyâ, only 19 men have been awarded the medal twice. Among them is Marine Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, one of only two marines to receive the Medal of Honor Twice for separate acts of … [Read more...] about Sergent Major Dan Daly “The fightinest Marine”
Padraig Pearse
This year marks the 95th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Despite such a milestone anniversary, it seems to have passed by with little recognition. Perhaps this is because some of the âpolitically correctâ insist on drawing parallels between the action of April/May 1916 and unrest in our present day world. One has only to look at the ideological leader of the rising, … [Read more...] about Padraig Pearse
Edward “Butch” O’Hare
The commentator Walter Winchell paid tribute to the patriotism and courage of Irish Americans during his St. Patrickâs Day broadcast of 1945 observing: âYou canât strike the American Flag without expecting to get hit back by some Irishman.â Perhaps Winchell was thinking of the uncertain days when an ill prepared America was thrust into a World War by the sneak attack by the … [Read more...] about Edward “Butch” O’Hare
Monsignor Hugh OâFlaherty, the âScarlet Pimpernel of the Vaticanâ
The Christmas Season is a time of paradoxes. As the days get darker and colder, our spirits grow brighter and warmer as we anticipate the divine contradiction of the King of Kings born in a stable, It is also a time when we proclaim good will toward our fellow man. It is therefore appropriate at this time to write about a man whose life embodied both paradox and good will to … [Read more...] about Monsignor Hugh OâFlaherty, the âScarlet Pimpernel of the Vaticanâ