DATED MATERIAL
®
—HIS EMINENCE, PATRICK CARDINAL O’DONNELL of Ireland
Vol. LXXXIII No. 3 USPS 373340
May-June 2016
1.50
Hibernian Easter Rising Centenary Mass & Commemoration a Success
In This Issue… Come to Convention!
The AOH/LAOH 1916 Centenary Committee with Irish Consul General NY Barbara Jones.
By Dan Dennehy New York’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and 345 Park Avenue were the majestic settings for the National AOH LAOH 1916 Easter Rising Centenary Mass & Commemoration on April 23. The day began with a Memorial Mass. Our Hibernian Chaplains were escorted to the altar of the renewed cathedral by the gleaming flags of Ireland and the United States held aloft by the distinct NYS Hibernian Honor Guard, led by Chris Templin; the precise Irish Defense Force Color Guard, led by Captain Emmet Harney; and our Hibernian 69th Regiment representative Patrick McGovern past pews filled with distinguished guests and the brilliant sashes worn by our Hibernian family. The cathedral’s vaulted roof and rafters were raised to Heaven by the joyful sound of the massive organ and our Hibernian Festival Singers, led by Christopher Bilella & Ronnie Allen. The Mass was warmly greeted by Celebrant Monsignor Robert Ritchie, inspired by Homilist Monsignor Tom Leonard and
Petitions by Brian O’Dwyer. Our AOH & LAOH National and NYS Presidents & Vice Presidents participated in readings and as Offertory gift bearers. AOH ushers efficiently seated everyone and assisted with Communion. Our Mass was made possible by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the generosity of Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Rector Monsignor Ritchie, Master of Ceremonies Rev. Andrew King, Musical Director Dr. Jennifer Pasqual, Director of Operations Kevin Donoghue and the tireless, yet seemingly effortless coordination of Tom Beirne. Filling the 2,200 seats of NY’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on a sunny Saturday afternoon is no small feat, but to lead the entire church to 345 Park Ave Plaza afterwards takes a miracle! Thanks to extensive planning in cooperation of the NYPD, and stewardship of NYS President Tim McSweeney and Jim Burke, everyone was able to join a grand Procession in orderly fashion. Seven AOH Pipe-bands demonstrated their playing and marching talents in continued on page 27
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Emmet statue re-dedicated
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Rising in Rockland
Brady awarded JFK Memorial Medal The Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians announced their highest honor, the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Medal. It will be awarded to Major General Patrick Brady. General Brady was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor. The award presentation will be made at the closing banquet of the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ National Convention on July 14, 2016 in Atlantic City, NJ. While in Vietnam General Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor for a series of rescues, which began at sunrise and ended after dark. Repeatedly competent advisors warned him that the missions were impossible due to weather, the enemy situation, and mines. On three different missions and six tasks, Major Brady extracted patients from areas where other aircraft failed. On two different occasions his aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire. On a third occasion his aircraft was severely damaged by a mine. Major Brady’s aircraft were so severely damaged that three aircraft were required to complete the missions and at the days end the aircraft he flew had over 400 bullet holes in them. In the process two crewmembers were injured. During the day Major Brady evacuated over 70 patients many who would have died without expeditious medical care. In two tours in Vietnam he flew over 2,500 combat missions and rescued over 5,000 wounded. He developed foul weather and tactical techniques for air ambulance rescue never before executed in combat for which he is identified in the Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War and other books as the top helicopter pilot in that war. Some pundits recognize him as the most decorated living
veteran. General Brady is the only living Army veteran of Vietnam to hold both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross, our nation’s second highest award. His other awards include two Distinguished Service Medals; the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; six Distinguished flying Crosses; two Bronze Stars, one for valor; the Purple Major General Patrick Brady Heart, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm and Silver Star and 53 Air Medals, one for valor. He is a member of both the Army Aviation and Dust Off Halls of Fame, he is the first and only Army Aviator in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He is also the only Army Aviator to receive the Bob Hoover Freedom of Flight Award. He recently co-published a book, Dead Men Flying, which covers his experiences with the origin and execution of Aero Medical evacuation in Viet Nam, called Dust Off, the greatest battlefield lifesaver in history. General Brady is the former President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Seattle University and an MBA from Notre Dame University. General Brady and his wife Nancy were blessed with six children. General Brady is a Catholic of Irish descent who is truly outstanding in his field of endeavor.
President Brendan Moore Page 21
State News Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 18 New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21, 23 Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 LAOH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 More news at www.hiberniandigest.com