At the May monthly meeting, it was so good to James Daley Wahl up and around and at the meeting.  He is in a wheel chair now (God help anyone walking!) and his skin grafts are doing well.  PLEASE keep him in your prayers.  God has answered our prayers so far in guiding Jim’s recovery.

June also is the “moment of truth” for our division Chaplain, Fr James J. Byrnes.  It, if I remember right, is the month when he’ll by notified by archdioceses as to where he’ll be transferred, with the closing of his parish, North American Martyrs.  So keep THAT in your prayers also.

You will receive this newsletter just prior to Memorial Day weekend here in the United States.  Memorial Day, (used to be May 31st—for all us “senior members”) actually started during the American War between the States (The “Civil War”) when widows gathered to decorate the graves of soldiers who gave their lives for the cause they believed in.  Even before the first shots were fired in Concord New Hampshire, Irish men were stepping forward to give their lives in defense of an idea, a dream, a wish, a hope, and a future-----FREEDOM.  FREEDOM to travel where ever you want.  FREEDOM to worship a God, no matter what name you call him—Allah, God, Buddha, Zen, the “Great Spirit”. FREEDOM to step into a voting booth and tell this government just WHO you wish to represent you, and just how you want to see this country governed.  FREEDOM of assembly—to meet with whom ever you wish in how large or small a group you wish.  FREEDOM to work—work in a job you want, where you want and only limited by your own capabilities and limitations.  FREEDOM is why the “Berlin Wall” went up in 1961, why people are streaming across our borders in the southwestern United States.  In the original “Declaration of Independence”  signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, and written by Thomas Jefferson; paragraph 2:  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Those 36 words would send shock waves throughout this earth for centuries to come, and would give millions of people who reside thousands and thousands of miles away a beacon of light, a ray of hope, of a place that there IS a place for us.  Ah yes, but with these freedoms, comes another word that stands shoulder to shoulder with it—Responsibility!!  “If you want to dance, sooner or later you must pay the piper”.  Control freaks (and that basically is what Dictatorships are—controlling people to their liking) through out the history of the world fear “FREEDOM”, because if their people had freedom, they would NOT be in power, and thusly they move to squash any/all freedoms that tend to threaten them, no matter where in the world that freedom exist. For centuries Irish men have longed, dreamed, and fought for that ideal--FREEDOM . Our own American history shows us that NO other race, or nationality of people has stepped forward more and given more, including dying for their beliefs, than the men AND women from “Hibernia” or as it is now known today—Ireland.  Ireland has sent its people to the four corners of the earth, over the past 1,400 years and they have died in FREEDOMS name.  Your heart pumps the blood of a distant IRELAND (along with what I suspect a drop or two of ‘Guinness”!!), and ALWAYS be fiercely proud of that heritage.

On Monday, May 29th, take a few moments to remember ALL of those people who have gone before you, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, which gives you these so precious freedoms that we do enjoy today.  IF you have not done so, even in a while, go to the division’s website—www.stlhibernians.org  , and click on the history section and then click on the “Irish in the US Military”.  I think you will like it—I sure hope so!!!  Remember also- The counties in the north STILL are not Free!!!!  Ireland divided shall NEVER be totally free !!!

Upcoming (please check the calendar of events page which is also can be found on the website at www.stlhibernians.org) is the Missouri state AOH convention in St. Joseph, on June 10th –12th at the Stoney Creek Inn.  Tom Gibbons is trying to arrange for a big van in which all passengers will chip in for gas and leaving Friday morning of the 10th and return on Sunday the 12th.  If interested call Tom at (314) 741-8827.

DO NOT FORGET:  Check out the flyer on the AOH Golf Tournament.  They need a few workers to help out and this IS a fun day!!!

Dia beannaigh tu gach! (God bless you all!)

Jim Otto

President

AOH Division #1

THIS MONTH IN IRISH HISTORY

This  information is brought to you off of the pages of “The Wild Geese Today”  PLEASE go to their website and see what they have to offer at www.thewildgeese.com.  It’s a wonderful website!!!

CEADAOIN -- On May 25, 1798, as the British authorities began to receive news of people rising up in several parts of the island, anxious loyalist militia units committed two massacres of men they suspected of being rebels.  In Dunlavin, 28 or more innocent Catholic members of the Yeomanry were taken from the jail and shot. None of these men had taken part in any actions against the government. With many Catholic members of local Yeomanry militia units going over to the rebels, the victims at Dunlavin were killed on the mere suspicion of some connection to those who had risen. That same day, in Carnew, another 24 or more were taken from the prison in town and murdered in an alley.

DEARDAOIN -- On May 26, 1706, Col. Charles O'Brien, 5th Viscount Clare, died from wounds suffered at the battle of Ramillies. O'Brien was born in 1670.  He had commanded one of the regiments raised by his father, Daniel, during the Williamite War in Ireland. After the Treaty of Limerick, he was one of the soldiers who traveled to France with Sarsfield's army. O'Brien fought at the battle of Marsaglia in 1693, where his brother was killed. In 1696, he was appointed Colonel of his own regiment, which became famous as the regiment of Clare, after his title. O'Brien led his regiment in numerous battles all over Europe in the next ten years. At the battle of Ramillies, on May 23, 1706, his regiment was heavily engaged. Though the French lost the battle, Clare's regiment fought gallantly, capturing a pair of colors from the enemy, one Scottish and one English. But in leading his regiment through the heated action there, Lord Clare received nine wounds. He died three days later, sharing that fate with 37 other officers and 326 soldiers of his regiment. Charles O'Brien, Lord Clare, was buried at the Church of the Holy Cross at Louvain, where his wife erected a monument to his memory.  O'Brien's son, the 6th Viscount, was also Charles, and was likewise a famous soldier in the Brigade.nths of the worst fighting and atrocities in Irish history lay ahead.

AOINE -- On May 27, 1798, a North Cork militia and local yeomanry force of around 128 was headed towards the rebel held town of Oulart. The yeomen, commanded by Colonel Foote, a veteran of the American Revolution, were met by the numerically superior but poorly armed rebels of Father John Murphy on Oulart Hill. Foote was reluctant to attack Murphy's men, who were well posted on high ground; but Col. Foote's men were supremely confident that they could easily sweep the ill-armed, untrained Irish rebels from the hill.   They had also looted and burned a public house in Ballinamonabeg on their way, which may have increased their courage. While Foote was writing a request for more men, his enthusiastic soldiers began an assault without orders. Foote's subordinate, Major Lombard led the attack on the United Irishmen. Seeing a possible disaster in the making, Foote rode after them, trying to restrain his troops but it was too late. The Irish did not run away, as so many of the yeoman were sure they would. They held their ground until the yeomen came near and then overwhelmed them. Of the 128 men in his command, only Col. Foote, a sergeant and two privates survived the battle. 

SATHAIRN -- On May 28, 1779, poet and songwriter Thomas Moore was born at 12 Aungier Street in Dublin. Moore attended Trinity College with Robert Emmet, whom he befriended there, though he did not become personally involved with the United Irishmen. Moore traveled to London in 1799 to study law. He was appointed to a government job in Bermuda in 1803 but soon tired of it and he returned to London. His talents as a writer of verse soon overcame any other career pursuits. Although he wrote some prose as well, today Moore is most remembered for his 'Irish Melodies,' his lyrics put to the music of traditional Irish tunes, published sporadically between 1807 and 1834. Many, such as The Minstrel Boy, had patriotic Irish themes and are still widely known and sung to this day.