On March 16, 1780, General George Washington declared that the following day, March 17, would be a holiday for his tired, cold and hungry continental army troops as they camped in Morristown, NJ. They had been through a difficult and long campaign, going months without a day off – not even Christmas – and enduring the coldest and snowiest East Coast winter on record, with 28 separate storms. Coats, shirts, shoes and even food were all in short supply. They needed a break and a rest.
At the time, the Irish were the largest immigrant group in colonial America and comprised more than 25 percent of the continental army. The bulk of the soldiers camping that winter in Morristown were Irish.
Recognizing he needed to do something to boost morale during that brutal winter, Washington ordered that “ …all fatigue and working parties cease for tomorrow the seventeenth, a day held in particular regard by the people of (Ireland).” Washington’s decree cemented his solidarity with those he called the “brave and generous” people of Ireland, whose fight against British rule mirrored the American cause.
Aided by that show of support, Washington’s troops persevered through what became known as “The Hard Winter of 1779-80” – a season that threatened to put the American Revolution on ice.
Fast forward to what has been another tough winter, this year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be number 265 – a remarkable event watched worldwide. It’s a celebration of history, Irish culture and heritage. It elicits multiple emotions: pride, satisfaction, appreciation and humanity.
I was privileged to have been the parade’s grand marshal in 2017 – a once-in-a-lifetime honor permanently etched in my memory. Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought such recognition was possible when I left Limerick, Ireland, in the late 1960s with little money and few possessions beyond a dream of finding opportunity in a new land. I will never forget the procession up 5th Avenue behind the famous Army’s 69th Regiment. It could only happen in America – where so many people’s dreams become reality. St. Patrick’s Day and its multiple of parades and festivities represent so many things to so many people but at their core it’s a celebration of immigrants and immigration – from all destinations and countries. As John F. Kennedy (JFK) so aptly reminded us “every American who has ever lived, with the exception of one group, was either an immigrant or the descendent of immigrants. ”
Many of us will watch the parade and festivities on TV, approximately 150,000 will join the march up 5th Avenue and an estimated two million spectators will line the parade route. They will marvel at the music, the marching bands and the merriment while gazing at the wonders of New York City. As we do, however, it is not only important but imperative to reflect on the history of America and the circumstances that led millions to pursue the immigrant journey. Think about your own families – parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – and what they endured leaving their homeland to pursue a new life.
• Imagine bidding farewell to friends and family, knowing that in all likelihood you will never see them again. Think about the angst they experienced abandoning familiar surroundings and the only life they knew. Most immigrants in the past came from rural areas and ended up in cities with which they were completely unfamiliar.
Traveling here was long and sometimes dangerous, often taking weeks or longer.
• Let’s reflect on that journey. For so many, including the Irish after the Great Famine of 1845-49, the trip to America was endured in the dark, crowded hull of transport ships devoid of adequate food, ventilation and sanitation. They were known as “coffin ships” because of the high mortality rate during the multi-week voyage.
During the peak of the Irish Famine in 1847, 20 to 30 percent of travelers died of typhus and other infectious diseases, and countless others arrived in various stages of serious illness.
• Imagine the experience when they arrived. They had to overcome hardship, prejudice and discrimination. They were accused of being lazy, unruly and blamed for taking jobs from “good” Americans. Sound familiar? Many were accused of being criminals. The cartoonist Thomas Nast, who regularly published in Harpers Weekly, portrayed the Irish as drunkards and brawlers, equating them with apes. We must remember that all immigrants were treated badly by those who came before – as is happening now. Sadly, history repeats itself.
• Despite the discrimination, difficulties and sacrifices they endured, the Irish found jobs in construction, building canals, railroads and homes of the more well-to-do.
Some became indentured servants. Their talents and persistence propelled American progress and success. They became optimists – as all immigrants are. They became leaders in industry, academia and politics. Historians estimate that, beyond their involvement in the battle for independence mentioned earlier, between 160,000 and 200,000 Irish-born and first-generation Irish fought in the Civil War. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, nine were of Irish origin.
Certainly, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the Irish experience, but it also honors all immigrants who have created the wonderful mosaic called America. So let’s celebrate this wonderful tradition and rejoice in our good fortune and all the contributions of immigrants that have made this country so unique and successful.
Despite the ebb and flow of government immigration policies, America remains a place where dreams can come true. Given the political conflicts impacting our nation, our task now is to ensure that America also remains a place of refuge — a land that welcomes people regardless of their race, ethnicity and creed.
Let’s strive to better understand the immigrants of today searching for freedom, opportunity and safety, many of whom are experiencing journeys similar to our ancestors. Certainly, our nation must have policies governing immigration – but the rules should be based on decency and humanity.
The American way of life we now enjoy was created by immigrants. Future immigrants will build on and enrich our collective heritage.
Let’s always remember these words from JFK: “Wherever you come from, we are all members of a great family which is linked together by the strongest of chains – a common past. ”
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