An Cosantóir

Reservists on the March by Lt John Mc Candless (58 Res Inf Bn) O An Taoiseach with Members of the 58 Res Inf Bn, with Sgt Cinturati US Marine Corps boxwood in memory of their charge against Confederate lines along Mayre's Heights at the Battle of Frederiksburg. It was their ferocity at this battle that led Confederate General Robert E Lee to dub them 'the Fighting 69th. Special guest at the ceremony was 4-Star General Frank J Grass, the National Guard Bureau's 27th chief. We were additionally honoured when Lt Col Gonyo invited us to march with him and his regiment from Lexington Ave to St Patrick's Cathedral for High Mass. As we marched towards the cathedral, 850 members of the 69th sang out a marching chant, which brought applause and salutes from New Yorkers. It truly was an honour to be part of a 252 year old tradition and this gesture by the 69th is one we will particularly remember with pride. We joined the remainder of our battalion at 0730hrs outside St Patrick's Cathedral to more applause and photo opportunities. During the (l-r ) Col Gonyo OC 69 Regiment, Gen Frank Grass (Chairman Mass members of the battalJoint Chiefs of Staff) at the morning toast in the 69 Reg HQ at ion were asked to be part of 6am with Comdt Peter Kennan, Lt John Mc Candless and Comdt an escort during the EuchaGerry Jordan rist. A group of reservists of all ranks carried out this duty with dignity and pride in front of the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD. Before the parade Mayor Bloomberg came and greeted us. At 1100hrs, we rendered honours to the Colours of the 69th Regiment as they passed by to begin the parade. The parade was made much more special as An Taoiseach joined us for the march. Before setting off he shook everyone's hand and wished us luck. It was a great honour for the unit to lead the largest parade in the world down 5th Ave with An Taoiseach beside us. Cpl Andrea Kelly and Cpl Kevin Begley escorts the At the end of the n March 14th members of 58 Res Inf Bn departed Finner Camp under the leadership of Comdt Gerry Jordan and Comdt Peter Keenan to take part in the unit's fourth St Patrick's Day Parade in New York. Despite the fact that each member of the unit was travelling at their own expense there was no problem getting volunteers for the trip. The group visited various sites in New York including the Armoury, home of 69th Infantry Regiment, more famously known as the 'Fighting 69th', where we received the usual céad míle fáilte from the unit commander, Lt Col James C Gonyo. At 0600hrs on Saturday 16th March, the day of the parade, our officers and senior NCOs attended the commander's reception at the HQ of the 69th Regiment for the traditional St Patrick's Day toast. Comdt Keenan presented Lt Col Gonyo and his staff with shamrock, and Lt Col Gonyo presented us with boxwood. The 69th wear sprigs of |9 parade we fell in behind the 69th as they marched into their HQ. Tradition has a large part to play here, with the generals and the officers of the 69th lining the entrance to the Armoury to salute the troops as they enter. As our turn came Lt Col Gonyo asked for three cheers for the 58th Bn. This was a moment my fellow reservists and I will never forget. On the journey to New York we met the Maynooth Chamber Choir, who on tour. Before the parade Comdt Jordan had asked Lt Col Gonyo if the Chamber Choir could visit the Armoury after the parade to sing for him and his men, which the Lt Col duly sanctioned. The choir's performance totally captivated their audience, both Irish and American and Lt Col Gonyo said it had been the highlight of his term as commander of the 69th. It was a great way to end the evening. As Comdt Jordan stated, "These trips have created great cohesion, identity and esprit de corps within our unit". The welcome we received was secondto-none and we were very proud to be representing our country in uniform at the biggest St Patrick's Day parade in the world. Priest at Communion www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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