REAL SNAKE-KILLERS FOR THE PARADE ("Fighting 69th Irish Brigade" leads this year's march)

NY Post ^ | March 17, 2006

[Great Communicator]

St. Patrick's Day in New York is always something special, but rarely so much so as today, when the march up Fifth Avenue will be led once again by 600 soldiers of the Fighting 69th, celebrating their return from a tour of duty in Iraq. This is the 245th annual celebration of the wearing of the green here, and the Fighting 69th - the Irish-American regiment immortalized in the classic 1940 film starring James Cagney and Pat O'Brien - has headed the line of march since it was formed 150 years ago.

But this year's parade marks an official homecoming for the proud soldiers of the 69th, who saw action in some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq and who paid a terrible price in the service of their country: Nineteen members of the unit were killed in action.

Among them was Sgt. Christian Engeldrum, one of New York's Bravest, who died in November 2004 when a bomb exploded under his Humvee just outside Baghdad.

New York paid tribute to this brave hero back then - and now the city can salute his comrades-in-arms who returned home safely. After today's parade, the unit will return to its home base - the 69th Regiment Armory on lower Lexington Avenue - where members will be decorated for their service.

Among the medals to be awarded are four Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts, earned for heroic service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[Great Communicator]

Incidently, like the Hibernians, the Fighting 69th does not tolerate openly gay participation.

[Gator101]

Faugh A Ballagh!!!

[Great Communicator]

[Fighting Irish]

Don't ask

Don't tell

...or we'll kick the crap out of yah!

Slante'

[ex-snook]

The 42nd Rainbow Division - WWI WWII Iraq. Well Done.

[Owl558]

The Irish Brigade flag is flying proudly off my back fence right now in honor of St. Patrick's Day and our soldiers.

God bless them.

[jjmcgo]

James Cagney plays a coward in The Fighting 69th who gets scolded harshly by Pat O'Brien and runs out to a foxhole on the front lines. Already in the foxhole, another soldier says to Cagney: "Hey, what are you doing in here with us white men?" I always thought that was Victor McLaglen saying it but I checked and he wasn't in the movie (or at least credited.) So, who did say it? Alan Hale?

[massgopguy]

If you want to see where the men of the Fighting 69th drank. Go to McSorley's Ale House. The wish bones signify men who didn't return from WW I.

[La Enchiladita]

Is the Fighting 69th the real name of a Brigade?

[GAB-1955]

Back when I was in the New York Guard, we had three battalions in the First Brigade of the 42nd: the 69th, the 71st, and the 106th. All three regiments loved to look down on each other. The 71st was deactivated in the 1990s. My salute to the 69th.

The 69th was part of General Meagher's "Irish Brigade" in the Civil War. The 71st, "The American Guard," on the other hand, was created as a militia regiment of the "Know-Nothings" to keep an eye on the "Irish" regiments. We ended up fighting against a common foe, the Rebels, and then another common foe, the New York City rioters.

[GAB-1955]

And a slapdown of my Rainbow coin!

[La Enchiladita]

All three regiments loved to look down on each other.

LOL! Thanks for the info; sounds like those were lively times!

[jjmcgo]

Wow. Good post. I haven't been in there since the 1970s. Should go again, but not tonight.

[GAB-1955]

Our S-3 (Ops officer) used to lecture us on an inadvertent demonstration of force. The 69th's armory was by the Soviet Consulate in Manhattan. One weekend, the 69th was coming back from crowd control training; National Guard units had to do this once a year.

There was a demonstration by the Jewish Defense League outside the Consulate. "Being a typical 69th convoy," our major said, "they got separated and arrived at the armory from three different directions." (A no-no). The 69th men came out of their trucks and formed up in formation in riot gear -- and the crowd dispersed.

Of course, the 71st invaded Canada one year.

[La Enchiladita]

Awesome, I love America's Guard: HOOAH!
And here's a hug to you, our defender.
{{{HUGS}}}
(don't worry, I'm a girl...)

[Bigg Red]

Thank you for your service.

[Uncle Jaque]

Anyone who is a Civil War buff with an interest in the Irish Brigade History ought to have a CD by DAVID KINKAID entitled "The Irish Volunteer".



He came out with a second one later, but I don't remember the title; they are both good, and feature a number of songs that were written specifically for and/or by Members of the 69th.

David K. presents what may well be the most historically authentic ACW music recorded, using period instruments and playing styles, along with his amazing vocal skills.

He sings all 4 harmony parts on many of the songs.

Many of the members of the ledgendary "Fightin' Irish" today would probably like to have these CDs.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Back in the late 60's the 69th was commanded by a CMH holder. They were shown in a documentary on the military channel recently. I was suprised to see a buddy of mine is now in charge of the 69th's museum. If you are out there Jim, its "Lost wallet in Heidelburg" here.

[91B]

No disrespect to regular GIs or to the great history of the 42nd but many of us in the 278th RCT (Tennessee guard), which fell under the 42nd in Iraq, got screwed by the G-1 and MG Taluto. For example, we left theater without many of our combat awards because G-1 never approved them. I know some troops who were waiting for purple hearts five months later because Taluto pulled approval authority to his level but apparently couldn't get the paperwork back.

He earned my dislike in August when we had three troops killed by an IED and we had to have their memorial ceremony at 2 in the afternoon so he could attend. 2 p.m. on a flightine in Iraq in August is no way to treat troops.