VIRGINIA AOH NEWSLETTER
Winter, 2008
Next state meeting:
Saturday, 19 January 2008
10:00 am SHARP
12:30 pm: Major Degree Conferred
St. William of York Catholic Church
3130 Jefferson Davis Highway (US Route 1)
Stafford, Virginia
Directions:
On Interstate 95 (I-95) take Exit 143-A (toward Aquia) and turn left (north) at the first traffic light. WARNING: the first traffic light comes up on you very, VERY quickly so get in the left lane ASAP.
After turning left (north) on Jefferson Davis Highway (US Route 1) drive for almost exactly one (1) mile north to the first traffic light and turn right, which will put you in the parking lot of Saint William of York Catholic Church complex.
NATIONAL PRO-LIFE MARCH
Tuesday, 22 January, 2008
Washington, DC
Rendezvous with Brother Larry O'Brien at the Ellipse
behind the White House, 11:00 am-Noon.
Larry's cell phone number: (703) 201-2072
This is the Winter, 2008, Virginia AOH
Newsletter, the second edition of our new, revamped, revised State newsletter.
If you have suggestions as to topics you would like to see covered,
please let me know. Also, please, please give me your feedback, good and
bad, on the Newsletter. We are publishing four times a year. I was
overwhelmed by all the emails and phone calls praising the first edition.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I hope you enjoy this second
edition as much.
All Virginia AOH Newsletters are archived at http://www.aohvirginianewsletter.com
Ed
Moran, Editor
HOME:
(703) 820-2854
FAX:
(212) 214-0427
EMAIL:
kerryman@att.net
|
1.
CHAPLAIN 2.
PRESIDENT 3.
VICE-PRESIDENT 4.
SECRETARY 5.
TREASURER 6.
PAST PRESIDENT 7.
PARLIAMENTARIAN 8.
INSURANCE
ADVISOR 9.
CHARITIES AND
MISSIONS 10.
ORGANIZER 11.
PRO-LIFE 12.
HISTORIAN 13.
CATHOLIC ACTION 14.
FREEDOM FOR ALL
IRELAND 15.
POLITICAL
EDUCATION 16.
IMMIGRATION 17.
BUY IRISH 18.
IRISH AWARENESS 19.
FINANCE 20.
HIBERNIAN OF
THE YEAR |
21.
NEWSLETTER
EDITOR/PUBLICITY 22.
CONVENTION
CHAIR 23.
WEBMASTER 24.
DEGREES AND
CEREMONIALS 25.
VETERANS
AFFAIRS 26.
FAIRFAX COUNTY
BOARD 27.
PRINCE WILLIAM
COUNTY BOARD 28.
COLONEL JOHN
FITZGERALD DIVISION (ARLINGTON) 29.
MSGR. BRADICAN
DIVISION (ANNANDALE) 30.
FATHER WILLIAM
CORBY DIVISION (FAIRFAX) 31.
LT. COLONEL
JOHN A. DOWD USMC DIVISION (WOODBRIDGE) 32.
FATHER EDWIN
KELLEY DIVISION (MANASSAS) 33.
GEN. THOMAS
MEAGHER DIVISION (FREDERICKSBURG) 34.
COLONEL THOMAS
CUNNINGHAM, JR. DIVISION (ASHBURN) 35.
FATHER JOHN
MUNLEY DIVISION (WINCHESTER) 36.
MAJOR JAMES H.
DOOLEY DIVISION (RICHMOND) 37.
JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR
DIVISION (WILLIAMSBURG) 38.
ST. PATRICK
DIVISION (VIRGINIA BEACH) 39.
FATHER JOHN
LYNCH DIVISION (ROANOKE) |
1. S T A T E C H A P L A I N
Rev. George E. Zahn
St. Paul’s Church
909 Rennie Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227-4808
(804) 329-0473
Dear Brother Hibernians,
“No one has ever seen
God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed Him.” ---John 1:18
This is the core of our Christian Faith: Jesus
is the revelation of God. Though the Gospel of John simply states it, Christian
faith is not always easily embraced. Those of us who gladly call
ourselves Christian may at times struggle with the truth as much as any
nonbeliever.
In times of uncertainty, we are drawn back to the
person of this Jesus and asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Why, we may
even wonder, would God ask that question of me? What difference can it
make to the Creator of Heaven and Earth?
The incarnation came about simply because God wanted
to make a point and show that it could be done. God wanted to be
revealed, to be known by you and by me. Jesus was born one day many years
ago, and the Holy Spirit gives us His life within us again and again.
God’s work of revelation goes on and on, through every passing day, with every
passing year.
Lord, I believe that you reveal yourself to us.
Help me to accept the gift of faith and respond to your love.
May you and your families have a truly Happy New Year!
Father George
2. S T A T E P R E S I D E N T
Pat
Naughton
(804)
360-2969
Bliain úr faoi shean is faoi mhaise duit (Happy New Year to
you).
This is the time of year we reflect back and set new
goals to improve our health and/or relationships. Benjamin Franklin
summed all New Year’s resolutions into one simple phrase:
“Be
always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new
year find you a better man.”
I hope your resolutions bring peace to you and joy to
those you love.
The next quarterly State meeting will be January 19th
in Stafford. The date was changed to offer the Round Tower degree
following the meeting. If you have not taken this degree, I urge you to
take advantage of this opportunity. We have one of the best degree teams
in the country. In fact our degree team was asked to perform the degree
at the next national convention in New Orleans. Members that take the
degree are more likely to stay in the Order and become officers.
St. Patrick’s day comes quickly after the first of the
year. The parades and socials don’t just happen. They take planning
and work. I urge all members to attend your Division meetings and take an
active role in preparation for feast day of the patron saint of Ireland.
You’ll enjoy these events twice as much if you get involved.
In our motto,
Pat Naughton
3. V I C E—P R E S I D E N T
Rich
Aleksy
(703)
369-3189
NO
REPORT.
4. S E C R E T A R Y
Chuck
Curran
Brothers –
At the last State Meeting, all divisions were requested to forward complete
division rosters so that the State may maintain current information on the
membership of your divisions. So far, many divisions have not forwarded
rosters to me. If your division roster has not yet been provided, please
do so at your earliest convenience at the address below. It would be very
helpful if you would include e-mail addresses for those Brothers who receive
e-mail. This will increase the efficiency of providing information to the
divisions and reduce the cost of postage. Your cooperation in meeting
this request is truly appreciated.
All divisions should have held elections of officers for the coming Hibernian
Year. Please forward copies of the Form 9, Report of Election of
Officers, to my attention either by e-mail, or by regular mail at—
6537 Novak Woods Court,
Burke, Virginia 22015
Good luck to all the newly elected officers of the
divisions.
A notice announcing the January 19, 2008, State Board Meeting to be held at St.
William of York Parish in Stafford, Virginia was sent out last month.
Please remind the members of your division that this Meeting is open to all
members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, provided that they hold a current
membership card. The Virginia State Board seeks to serve the members in
Virginia and benefits from the attendance and participation of individual
members. Please plan to attend if you can.
Remember that the Brian Boru Major Degree Team will
present the Tower Degree of the Order at the January State Meeting for all
those who have not yet taken the Major Degree of our Order. Plan to come
and take the Major Degree if you have not done so; plan to observe the only
Major Degree Team south of the Mason-Dixon line if you are already a Fourth
Degree member.
In Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity,
Chuck Curran
5. T R E A S U R E R
Joe
McCarthy
(540)
888-3664
NO
REPORT.
6. P A S T P R E S I D E N T
Dan
Brennan
(757)
471-7274
Once
again, NO REPORT. (Second time in a row.)
7. P A R L I A M E N T A R I A N
Arthur
Grimley
(703)971-3861
Once
again, NO REPORT. (2nd time in a row)
"Have
just opened my email. Will have something within a few days." 27
December, 2007.
8. I N S U R A N C E A D V I S O R
Dave
Zerby
(540)
374-1982
I have just been informed that our liability policy
will not be renewed in March. At this time the only thing I can do now is
to locate a new carrier and have them give us a
quote.
9. C H A R I T I E S A N D M I S S I O N S
NO
REPORT.
10. O R G A N I Z E R
Rich
Alesky
(703)
369-3189
NO
REPORT.
11.
P R O—L I F E
Larry
O'Brien
(703)
201-2072
Parishes and other groups hold respect-for-life activities.
Feel free to email me details about activities you’ve done or are connected
with. Brother Ed Moran joined me at the Respect Life Mass at St. Rita’s
Catholic Church and the attendant Holy Rosary devotions at the abortion
facility just after Thanksgiving. The monthly Respect Life masses are
generally on the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:00 am, and the next
one will be January 26, followed by February 23, March 22, and April 26.
St. Rita’s is located at 3815 Russell Road at the corner of West Glebe Road,
Alexandria; phone number (703) 836-1640.
Brother
Larry O'Brien, on the right, prays the complete rosary in front of an
Alexandria
abortion clinic with Father Paul Scalia (with the black beret hat) and others.
The upcoming
Pro-Life March on January 22 is literally the time to not only talk the talk
but to walk the walk. We’ll gather in , or as close as possible, to the
Ellipse behind the White House. Depending upon transportation, it will be
between 11:00 am and noon. Because we won’t have our own bus, marchers
are encouraged to travel to our rendezvous by buses that would be provided by
your parish, which should be preceded by a pro-life mass you’ll have at your
home parish. Otherwise, you can use Metro. The actual Pro-Life
rally normally begins between noon and 12:45 pm; and the march from the Ellipse
to the U.S. Supreme Court occurs, depending upon logistics, between 2:30-3:00
pm. You should expect to arrive back at your home parish, depending on
your selected mode of transportation, between 4:15-5:00 pm. Dress warmly,
assuming the Washington weather is what it normally is in January, but keep an
eye on the weather reports a day or two before the march. It’s also a
good idea to bring a bag lunch including bottled water. Port-a-Potties
will be located in the area. Feel free to call me if you can’t locate our
group (703) 201-2072.
12.H I S T O R I A N
Bruce Denault
(540) 446-9123
This is the second in a series of articles highlighting
the namesakes of our Virginia AOH Divisions. I believe it’s important
that we not only honor these men, but also remember the contribution they have
made as Irishmen, as Virginians, and as Americans. As a fellow
Irish-American Marine Officer, LtCol John A. Dowd USMC is this month’s subject
of a biography. (If the remaining divisions would, please, forward to me
a biography of your namesake, I’d appreciate it.)
John A. Dowd
(1931-1969)
John Aloysius (Jack) Dowd was born September 23, 1931,
in East Orange, New Jersey, and was raised in a strong Irish-Catholic
family. After graduating from Seton Hall Prep, he attended the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy; then in June, 1952, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as
a private during the Korean War. His leadership skills were soon
recognized, and he was recommended for Officer Candidate School; he earned a
commission in August, 1953. The next day, he married the love of his
life, Barbara Lee Hebbe. The Dowds went on to have six children.
Jack was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1967, 16
years after enlisting. Eight months later he went to Viet Nam as
assistant G-2 (intelligence) with the 1st Marine Division. He
was killed in action August 13, 1969, while leading his battalion in
combat. He was 37 years old and left Barbara and his six children in
Woodbridge, Virginia. Lance Corporal Jim Nelson, a radio operator with
Delta Company, remembers him this way:
“I know of no action of greater bravery than that
performed by Colonel Dowd. From the moment on throughout my Marine
career, I measured my actions by how I thought he would view them if looking
over my shoulder.”
Jack Dowd was awarded the Silver Star in April, 1969,
and the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, and Legion of Merit posthumously. The
Navy Cross is the highest award given for extraordinary heroism second only to
the Medal of Honor. His citation for the Navy Cross is printed
below. After a Requiem Mass at Fort Myer Chapel, Jack was laid to rest
across from the Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
13.C AT H O L I C A C T I O N
Jack
Devaney
(703)
278-8352
FOCUS: ABORTION
Actions speak better than words. In three days we
will have an opportunity to put action in the forefront. This is an issue
of concern for all Catholic gentlemen of Virginia. The abortion issue is
an issue Catholics cannot and must not avoid. The concept put forth by
the national editor is wrong. The idea that there are other political
issues to consider than abortion is frankly—heresy.
There are no other issues
more compelling than the issue of abortion.
If you cannot attend the
Right to Life March,
Email your Senator and
your Congressperson.
Let him or her know what
you think.
FOCUS: TROOP
SUPPORT
Here is a letter summarizing what Catholic Action can
mean:
Construction Management Section
LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq
APO, AE 09391
4 December 2007
To: St. Mary of Sorrows
The Hibernians
RE: Thank you for your Support
of the Soldiers of the Brigade
On behalf of the soldiers of the 20th Engineer Brigade
(Combat) (Airborne), I wish to thank you for your generous gift of snacks,
goodies, and other essential items that you sent to us. Your support of
our American Soldiers is commendable and is greatly appreciated
As we enter the holiday season, I am reminded of the
blessings we have both as Soldiers and Americans. Living amongst the
Iraqis, we are all reminded that we are blessed to live in a nation that has
such freedoms as the freedom from fear and freedom from want. As we
recall the Christmas message, we need to be reminded,\more now than ever, of
the need to recognize the special gifts we are given, and how we are obligated
to share them with others, especially those in need.
As we go through our duties here in Iraq, it is
wonderful to know that there are caring communities that are praying and
supporting us as you have. It is our hope that our efforts here in Iraq
will be worthy of the support you have shown to us.
We wish you a safe and happy Christmas back in
Northern Virginia, and ask for your continued prayers and thoughts as we
continue to serve half-way around the world. Thank you again for your
support.
Sincerely,
Erik
C Bachus, P.E.
Major, US Army
Lead Design Engineer
FOCUS: ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2008
WASHINGTON (Catholic News Service)
--- In contrast to the decision of the Irish bishops' conference to request Vatican
permission to move the liturgical celebration of St. Patrick's Day in 2008 to
avoid a conflict with Holy Week, the feast day "will not be commemorated
liturgically" in most U.S. dioceses next year, according to the U.S.
bishops' Secretariat for the Liturgy. Because March 17 falls on the Monday of
Holy Week next year, the Irish bishops' conference requested and received
permission from the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Sacraments to move the solemnity of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, to the
nearest Saturday, March 15. But an earlier decision by the Vatican congregation
to transfer the feast of St. Joseph in 2008 from March 19, the Wednesday of
Holy Week, to March 15 "impedes the transfer of the solemnity of St.
Patrick to March 15" in the United States, said an article in the liturgy
secretariat's newsletter for April. The feast day may be moved to Friday, March
14, 2008, in dioceses "where St. Patrick is the principal patron of a
particular church" and where "it is customarily commemorated as a
solemnity," the newsletter said. The U.S. bishops have not requested such
a transfer as a conference, however.
14.F R E E D O M F O R A L L I R E L A
N D
NO REPORT.
15.P O L I T I C A L E D U C A T I O N
NO REPORT.
16.I M M I G R A T I O N
NO REPORT.
17.B U Y I R I S H
Hugh
P. O'Brien
(540)
786-4214
NO
REPORT.
18.I R I S H A W A R E N E S S
John
O’Hara
(703)
217-5527
Irish Awareness
Hope this
article finds everyone in great spirits after enjoying a wonderful Christmas
and New Year’s Day holiday. Now
that we have these holidays behind us and the New Year is upon us, it’s time to
start looking at the Irish events for 2008; after all the biggest event of the
Irish calendar year, St Patrick’s Day, will be here before we know it.
This year the St. Patrick’s Day feast day happens to fall at the same time as
Holy Week and as such we face a liturgical dilemma that happens every so
often. As we know being Hibernians, while St. Patrick’s Day has become a
widely celebrated holiday for the masses in the United States, it is also first
and foremost the feast day of the Patron Saint of Ireland. As such this
created an issue for our brothers in Ireland where up until recent years, the
celebration traditionally has had a more religious connotation and is actually
a holy day of obligation always celebrated on the actual feast day, March 17.
As these conflicts in the liturgical calendar became apparent, the Irish bishops asked for and received permission from the Vatican to move the 2008 feast of St. Patrick to March 15, the Saturday before Holy Week. It is the first time in almost 100 years that the feast of St. Patrick will not be celebrated March 17. In 1913, the same conflict occurred, and in that case the church marked the feast April 1. According to historians, March 17 is the traditional date given for the death of St. Patrick, and his feast has been celebrated on this day since the seventh century. A spokesman for St. Patrick's Festival in Ireland, the committee that organizes the civic celebrations in Dublin, said, "Parades and other cultural events will continue on the traditional feast day of St. Patrick, March 17." St. Patrick's Day is a centerpiece in Ireland's tourism calendar, with an estimated 1 million people visiting annually to take part in celebrations.
Bishops of each nation may decide whether or not to move St. Patrick's Day, a Vatican official said July 25. Last year, however, the Vatican announced that the dates of the feasts of St. Joseph and of the Annunciation of the Lord were moved for all liturgical celebrations worldwide. The Vatican announced last year that in 2008 the feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated March 15, the day before Palm Sunday, and the feast of the Annunciation will be celebrated March 31, the Monday after the second Sunday of Easter. In 2008, if the feast of St. Joseph were to be celebrated March 19 as usual, it would fall on the Wednesday of Holy Week, and if the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord were to be celebrated March 25, it would fall on the Tuesday during the octave of Easter. While the two feasts are among the 14 solemnities marked with special care in the Catholic Church, they do not take precedence over the commemoration of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection, the Vatican said. Because of a conflict with the transfer of St. Joseph’s Day to March 15, the US bishops have opted for no liturgical celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in 2008. The next time St. Patrick's Day will fall during Holy Week will be 2160.
For those of us who are interested in taking part in one of the many civic celebrations planned for St Patrick’s Day in 2008, the following quick guide to our area and the larger Southeast region is provided courtesy of About.com's website:
St. Patrick's Day in the
Southeastern United States
Irish Parades and Celebrations
Georgia St. Patrick's Day
Celebrations
·Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Friday, March 14, 2008 - Savannah, Georgia
The St. Patrick's Day celebration in Savannah in the city's largest annual
celebration and the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United
States. Likened by some to a Mardi Gras celebration, the spirited St. Patrick's
Day festivities in Savannah go on for several days, attracting roughly 400,000
Irish and honorary Irish visitors each year. Popular events include the
traditional Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade, spirited celebrations
with live entertainment on River Street and at City Market, plus several
family-friendly events and activities.
·St. Patrick's Day Celebrations in Atlanta
Various Dates and Times - Atlanta, Georgia
Get the details about how Atlanta celebrates the green from About.com's
Cities and Towns Guide to Atlanta Georgia. A few of the fun events of the day
include the annual parade, live Irish entertainment at several venues around
town, a potato eating contest, a leprechaun hunt and more.
North Carolina St. Patrick's
Day Celebrations
·Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Emerald Isle, North
Carolina
Featuring more than 75 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, clowns, amusement
rides and other family-friendly activities, as well as three stages of
entertainment including Irish music, a beer garden and much more this St.
Patrick's Festival offers fun for all ages.
·St. Patrick’s
Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Charlotte, North
Carolina
The 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival are
expected to be bigger and better than ever. Because the ACC Tournament is in
Charlotte on the same day, the 2008 parade will follow a new route and start at
10:30 a.m. The new route begins at Tryon and 9th Streets and marches Fouthe to
Tryon and 3rd Streets. The parade features local bagpipe bands, Irish dancers,
floats and more. The festival, located at the corner of Tryon and 3rd Streets,
offers fun for all ages including Irish music, dancers, bagpipers, food and
plenty of beverages. Festival hours are 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Admission is
free.
·Raleigh St.
Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Raleigh, North
Carolina
The 26th Annual Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival begins at 12
noon, featuring over 3,500 marchers, floats, pipe and drum bands, horses,
dancers and more. The Raleigh parade has grown to become the second largest St.
Patrick's Day Parade in the Southeast. Following the parade, the festival takes
place in Moore Square, offering entertainment, vendor booths, children's games
and fun for all ages.
South Carolina St. Patrick's
Day Celebrations
·North Myrtle
Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
This one-day St. Patrick's Day celebration begins at 9 a.m. with a parade along
Main Street. Following the parade, a street festival continues throughout the
day until 4 p.m., offering musical entertainment, arts and crafts booths, food
vendors and rides and games for kids.
Tennessee St. Patrick's Day
Celebrations
·Wearin' of the Green Irish Day Parade and Arts and
Crafts Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Erin, Tennessee
The small historic rural valley community of Erin, located west of Nashville at
the foot of Tennessee Ridge, celebrates large on St. Patrick's Day with
parades, an arts and crafts festival, a carnival and much more.
Virginia St. Patrick's Day
Celebrations
·St. Patrick's Day Celebration and Parade in Old Town
Alexandria
Saturday, March 1, 2008 - Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria gets a two-week jump on St. Patrick's Day celebrations with a
fun-filled day of events, including a classic Car Competition, the popular Fun
Dog Show and the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along King Street.
·Norfolk
St. Patrick's Day Parade and After Parade Party
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Norfolk, Virginia
This fun-filled Irish parade steps off at 10 a.m. and features marching bands,
clowns, floats and more. Following the parade, the After the Parade Party
celebrates with live musical entertainment, food, and fun.
·Shamrock the Block in Richmond
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Richmond, Virginia
Richmond's first outdoor festival of the season wants to put the rock back
into your shamrocks in celebration of St. Patrick's Day with music, crafts,
food and fun for all.
·
Manassas St.
Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Manassas, Virginia
Inisfail, Inc. presents the St. Patrick’s Day Parade featuring
bands, dancers and other groups. Beginning Center Street in Old Town Manassas.
Nation’s Capital (Washington
DC) St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
The Parade will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 12:00 Noon, and will proceed down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W., in our Nation’s Capital. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the best attended parades in Washington. This year's parade theme: A History of Strength. Grandstand tickets are available and they are a great way to watch the parade. They are located adjacent to the judge's reviewing stand. This guarantees that performing groups will not just pass you by - you'll get to see them at their best, performing for the judges. And you'll get to watch from a comfortable, elevated, vantage point with nearby restroom facilities.
For those of you who live in the Northern Virginia area or are just up in the area of our Nation’s capital during the next few months, you may also want to consider attending one of the below Washington DC Parade fund raisers, which always provide some great Irish entertainment as well as good food, beverages and friendly company. All of the fund raisers take place between 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM at the below indicated locations and dates:
Sunday, January 13, 2008
FADO IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT, 808 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 789-0066
Sunday,
January 20, 2008
THE AULD SHEBEEN, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; (703) 293-9600
Sunday, January 27, 2008
FLANAGAN’S HARP & FIDDLE, 4844 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD
20814; (301) 951-0115
Saturday, February 2, 2008 (note Saturday date)**
NANNY O’BRIEN’S, 3319 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20008; (202)
686-9189
Sunday, February 10, 2008
IRELAND’S FOUR PROVINCES (VA ),105 W. Broad Street, Falls Church,
VA 22046; (703) 534-8999
Sunday, February 17, 2008
THE IRISH CHANNEL 500 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 216-0046
Sunday,
February 24, 2008
MURPHY’S OF VIRGINIA, 713 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 548-1717
Sunday, March
2, 2008
IRELAND’S FOUR COURTS, 2051 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
22201; (703) 525-3600
Sunday, March 9, 2008
IRELAND’S FOUR FIELDS (formerly 4Ps DC ), 3412 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20008; (202) 244-0860
On a personal
note I had the good fortune along with several other federal law enforcement
officials to represent our country at the annual INTERPOL International Police
Symposium in Marrakech, Morocco in November 2007. This year was the 78th
meeting of this body of law enforcement professionals from over 170 countries
from around the world. As you can see from the photo below, this year I
actually had the opportunity to briefly met with Noel Conroy, the Commissioner
of the An Garda Siochana (Irish National Police) and Liam King, the Garda’s
Representative to INTERPOL.
From
left to right: Noel Conroy, John O’Hara, and Liam King
19.F I N A N C E
Rich
Alesky
(703)
369-3189
NO
REPORT.
20.H I B E R N I A N O F T H E Y E A R
Rich
Alesky
(703)
369-3189
NO
REPORT.
21.N E W S L E T T E R E D I T O R/P U B L I C I T
Y
Ed Moran
(703) 820-2854
Please
see “Introduction.”
22.C O N V E N T I O N C H A I R
NO
REPORT.
23.W E B M A S T E R
Mike Creegan
(703) 221-4692
The Website of the State Board is intended to be a way
of conveying information to our members and the general public. It’s a
one-stop location to find out what our Divisions are doing around the
State. It can make people aware of your fund-raising activities and Irish
cultural events. All that it takes is an email to me with all the details
or, if you have one, a flyer with the details.
I have recently been contacted by a representative of
the Irish Echo newspaper requesting that we put a link on our Website to
their Website. In return, they would—
·
Add our Website
to their links page.
·
Carry photographs
of our activities in their weekly newspaper “Echo Nation” section free of
charge.
·
Carry free listings
for our events in their paid weekly listings section.
This arrangement should greatly increase visits to our
Website and as a result make more people aware of our activities.
Actually, we already have a link to the Irish Echo on our links page; they’re
just not officially aware of it.
24.D E G R E E S A N D C E R E M O N I A L S
J. J. Kelly
(703)
455-1507
The Brian Boru Major Degree Team, the only certified Major Degree Team in the South, continues their successful ventures. We performed the Major Degrees for the South Carolina convention in Hilton Head in October. National President Jack Meehan was in attendance for this exemplification and later publicly praised the team in his President’s Message in the November/December 2007 issue of the National Hibernian Digest. At that degree we made our Honoree The Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien, a member of Monsignor Bradican Division, and the newly installed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We will be presenting him a certificate so stating at an appropriate time.
We now have three more exemplifications on our coming schedule to include the January 19 exemplification in conjunction with the Quarterly Meeting at St. William of York in Stafford, an exemplification in support of the District of Columbia and the Maryland State Boards in Bowie on Sunday, April 20th, and on Thursday, July 24th at the National AOH Convention in New Orleans. The latter is a tremendous honor for us, and one which we are looking forward to with great eagerness.
As always, we are looking for folks to join us on the degree team. The only requirements are that you have already taken the Major Degrees, are a member in good standing, and are willing to work and learn – and have a good time.
Finally, I ask all Division Presidents and Financial Secretaries to carefully review your membership listings which you recently received from National Secretary Tom McNabb. The last column of that listing indicates whether or not your members have received the Major Degrees. If they have, the column shows an entry such as DGRnn where nn represents the last two digits of the year in which the degree was taken. Mine, for example is DGR96 indicating I took my degree in 1996. If your members have not taken the Major Degrees, they should be highly encouraged to do so. If they have taken the Major Degrees but the roster does not so indicate, the FS must submit an updated Form 40 to so reflect his having taken the degree.
J J Kelly
In Friendship, Unity And Christian Charity
25.V E T E R A N S’ A F F A I R S
Dan
Brennan
(757)
471-7274
Once
again, NO REPORT. (2nd time in a row)
26.F A I R F A X C O U N T Y B O A R D
Dan
Rhoades
(703)
532-6385
NO
REPORT.
27.P R I N C E W I L L I A M C O U N T
Y B O A R D
Russell
Keating
(703)
392-3997
Once
again, NO REPORT. (2nd time in a row)
28.COLONEL JOHN FITZGERALD DIVISION (ARLINGTON)
James
Rogers
(703)
413-3602
Once
again, NO REPORT. (2nd time in a row)
29.MSGR. BRADICAN DIVISION (ANNANDALE)
Gene
Bransfield
(703) 820-2464
NO REPORT.
30.FATHER WILLIAM CORBY DIVISION (FAIRFAX)
ED
CARLS, II
(202)
431-3899
NO REPORT.
31.LT. COLONEL JOHN A. DOWD USMC DIVISION (WOODBRIDGE)
Jack
Murphy
(703)
497-4495
We are currently working on our fabulous Saint
Brigid’s Gala which will be held, as always, in February. We are again
looking for a large turnout and a wonderful, wonderful, entertaining
evening. Please feel free to contact me for information on tickets, the
exact date, time, cost, etc.
32.FATHER EDWIN KELLEY DIVISION (MANASSAS)
Jim Conroy
(703) 369-0480
NO REPORT.
33.GEN. THOMAS MEAGHER DIVISION (FREDERICKSBURG)
Bruce Denault
(540) 720-5000
March 17, 2008, we will, again, celebrate the feast
day of our beloved patron saint with a corned beef and cabbage dinner and
traditional Celtic dancing and music at St. William of York Parish Community
Center. Additionally, we will participate in both of Fredericksburg’s St.
Patrick’s Day parades. One is sponsored by Blue and Gray Brewery and the
other co-sponsored by Fredericksburg Irish American Social Club and Jaycees.
34.COLONEL THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, JR. DIVISION (ASHBURN)
Bob Anderson
(703) 858-7167
NO REPORT.
35.FATHER JOHN MUNLEY DIVISION (WINCHESTER)
Will Watson
(540)955-7006.
NO REPORT.
36.MAJOR JAMES H. DOOLEY DIVISION (RICHMOND)
Joe O’Brien
(804) 349-430
NO
REPORT.
37.JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR DIVISION (WILLIAMSBURG)
Jack Cummings
(757) 229-7368
Once
again, NO REPORT. (2nd time in a row)
38.ST. PATRICK DIVISION (VIRGINIA BEACH)
Dave Ray
(757) 229-7368
NO REPORT.
39.FATHER JOHN LYNCH DIVISION (ROANOKE)
Matt Duffy
(540) 989-6067
NO REPORT.
This section features the biography of a Virginia AOH member. We want to
focus on a brother who is a DOER and not just a talker, a brother who does not
get much attention in light of all he does. This issue we focus on....
Dominic Preston, a
member of the Msgr. Bradican Division (Annandale). Dominic and his beautiful
wife Linda came to the USA on 5 June, 1989. Both he and his wife are from
Dublin. They came to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Dominic worked for the airlines for ten years and for a travel
agency for two years. After the 9/11/01 terror attacks Dominic was laid
off two weeks later. Dominic then started working as Executive 
Director for the Washington, DC Irish Center which was
located near Catholic University.
He also started his own business
teaching guitar in 2001. Currently Dominic has fifty-four students. His
website is www.DPMusicServices.com.
Businesses can advertise on his classified page.
Dominic has his own CD titled "Changing Signs of Ireland." It
is a guitar instrumental and can be purchased on line or you can download
individual tunes from his Web store, www.DPMusicWebstore.com.
Online guitar lessons can also be easily downloaded from his Web store. Dominic
is coming out with a vocal CD in 2008. You can visit his Website and/or
email him at DPMusicServices@verizon.net
to be put on his mailing list. Dominic is, of course, available to perform
at social and fundraising events. He appears once a month at the Auld
Shebeen Restaurant & Pub in Fairfax City, www.theauldshebeenva.com
(703)293-9600.
Dominic has a very pleasant manner
and personality. He is one of the most gentle people I have ever known.
Over the years he has aided and assisted many, many Irish and Catholic
groups. He has always done so quietly without calling any attention to himself
or his efforts. He is one of the most generous people you will ever
meet. Dominic is also a crusader reminding people that Ireland
has changed. He does not take a position as to whether the changes are
good or bad; he simply wishes to remind people that Ireland has changed and is
changing. This message of his is not always welcomed, but he delivers
this message always when asked because he believes in truthfulness and wants
everybody and anybody who will listen to be aware of Ireland's changing.
Dominic would hate for anybody to visit Ireland expecting scenes from some of
the old movies.
Dominic is proud to be Irish and
proud to be a Hibernian and the Virginia Hibernians are lucky to have him as a
member and fellow Hibernian
brother.
We
feature books, fiction and nonfiction, of interest to the Irish and
Irish-Americans. In this issue we feature several recent nonfiction
books.
1) In Search of Ireland's Heroes by Carmel McCaffrey, 2006. The story of the Irish from the English Invasion to the Present Day. Carmel McCaffrey tells the story of the struggle between English and Irish aspirations since the first English invasions into Ireland in the twelfth century. This is a narrative history filled with powerful personalities and families who fought in battle and through constitutional means to free Ireland from English control. We meet the intrepid O'Neills, the colorful O'Donnells, the wily Fitzgeralds and many others whose passion for freedom and for Ireland could not be conquered.
McCaffrey describes how the Irish struggled over many generations to hold on to ancient lands, only to lose their fight in the Elizabethan wars. In the early 1600s the ancient Irish Brehon laws were extinguished, and it seemed as if the Gaelic past had been washed from memory. Yet the story of Irish determination did not end there. Other generations took up the effort to establish an Irish parliament, free of English control, that would answer the needs of all citizens.
"Lively narrative writing.....insightful portraits of towering historical figures.....as good a general history as any." --Irish America magazine.
2) The Billionaire who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune by Conor O'Clery, 2007.
In 1988, "Forbes" magazine hailed Chuck Feeney as the 23rd richest American alive. No one knew then that he was extremely wealthy. Feeney is a frugal man who travels economy class and does not own a house or a car. Born during the Great Depression in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Feeney made a fortune as co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain.
The untold story is that Feeney has in fact given away his fortune, in its totality, to endow Atlantic Philanthropies--one of the most generous and secretive philanthropic funds in the world. Atlantic Philanthropies is committed to giving away all its assets (currently they stand at $4 billion)--during the next decade, an unprecedented example of the "giving while living" philosophy. Feeney has largely kept out of the public eye.
"The intervention of the Atlantic Foundation in Ireland has been epoch-making and comes as a result of the great selflessness and the veritable Franciscan renunciation of one man in particular, Mr. Chuck Feeney." --Seamus Heeney, poet and Nobel Laureate.
"Chuck Feeney has made an important, distinctive, and most generous contribution to developments in Ireland in the fields of education and research, and also help in advancing the peace process in Northern Ireland. Conor O'Clery's fine and insightful portrait rightly ensures that this distinguished Irish American is no longer unsung." --Bertie Ahern, Irish Prime Minister.
3) Erin's Daughters in America by Hasia R. Diner, 1983, Johns Hopkins University Press. Irish Immigrant Women in the Nineteenth Century.
Described here are thousands of Irish women who saw in America the chance to utilize energy, ambition and ability that would otherwise have remained stifled by the poverty and social inflexibility of their native land. "Erin's Daughters in America" follows these women from an Ireland devastated by the Great Famine of the 1840s to their new homes in the USA.
In terms of marriage, work, educational achievement, and upward mobility, Irish women were very different from - and much more successful than - other female immigrants.
For the latest news
and reviews of Irish books, go to http://www.readireland.ie.
Send them your email address to get on their mailing list. They send
reviews at least once a week. Also, http://www.dufoureditions.com is
a good source of Irish-themed books.
This
section features reviews, good and bad, of Irish-themed pubs and
restaurants. This issue we feature. . .
Annie
Moore's Pub, 3555 Electric Road
(at the corner of Colonial Avenue), Roanoke, (540) 904-5466.
Rating:
5 shamrocks (highest rating). 
I visited Annie Moore's on Saturday, 22
December upon the recommendation of Paul Yengst of Roanoke. I found the
atmosphere to be extremely pleasant and low-keyed. It is quite easy to
carry on a conversation in this restaurant. The place has an extensive
menu with no pretenses. Service is quick and impressive. I ordered lunch.
I had their Potato & Cheese soup. It came HOT, as I like it,
but was served without any bread or rolls. The soup was delicious.
I also had stuffed mushrooms or rather I should write STUFFED mushrooms.
They were very flavorful and enough for lunch by themselves.
Last I had Shepherd's Pie. The Shepherd's Pie had a light,
nourishing topping of well whipped potatoes and the Pie was full
of excellent grade ground beef and was quite filling and tasty, extremely
tasty. I could not possibly eat anymore and skipped desert although there
were many tempting offerings. Moore’s is open Monday through Saturday at
11:00AM; they close at 11:00PM, Monday through Wednesday and 1:00AM, Thursday
through
Excellent
bartender Rick Robertson and excellent waitress Nicole Rigney
Saturday. Closed
Sundays. They are located in the West Village strip shopping mall. From
I-81 take Exit 143 (Route US 220 South toward the airport). Take the Electric
Road, Rt. 419-North exit and turn Right at the end of the ramp and proceed
until you see the West Village sign on your left. If you cross Colonial Avenue
(a major intersection), you have gone too far.
Previously reviewed:
Kate's Irish Pub &
Restaurant. Rating: 5 shamrocks (highest rating), 6131
Backlick Road, Springfield ( in the Concord Centre, next to Fischer's
Hardware), (703) 866-0860, www.katesirishpub.com.
Open 11:00 am-2:00 am, everyday.
Last visited: Wednesday, 2
January, 2008.
This section highlights an AOH Virginia Committee with its chairman explaining
what he does. This issue we look at our Historian, Bruce Denault
(pronounced "De-nou"). Bruce has been a Hibernian for
approximately five years and is currently President of the General Thomas
Meagher Division (Fredericksburg). Bruce was born and raised in a
traditional Catholic family just south of Chicago, Illinois. He was
influenced greatly by the conservative values of his father and the principles
and customs of the Irish community surrounding Saint Patrick's parish where he
and his eight siblings were schooled. 
As a student he grew to
appreciate History and its impact on current events. In 1973 Bruce graduated
from the University of Illinois with a degree in Political Science and
History. Subsequently he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S.
Marine Corps. Over the next couple of decades he encountered many
examples of where the history of the area greatly influenced the events of the
day. Bruce has always felt that by understanding he past he developed a
better appreciation and grasp of the present situation. While in the
Marine Corps Bruce served in the Vietnam evacuation, the Middle East (Palestine
& Lebanon) in '82 and '83, Panama in '89 during the Manuel Noriega expedition,
and in many other assignments. Bruce was an artillery officer. He
retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel and settled in Stafford,
Virginia. His wife passed away approximately five years ago.
In 2002, Bruce received his Ph.D. in History from Lexington
University. He is active in both the Catholic Church and the Ancient
Order of Hibernians.
