Photo By Alexander Rector | New York Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, on...... read more read more
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NEW YORK/CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -The Soldiers of the New York National Guard’s “Fighting 69th” marked St. Patrick’s Day 2023, 7,000 miles apart from each other, with the bulk of the regiment in the Horn of Africa, and a rear detachment in New York.
In Manhattan, 150 members of 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment’s rear detachment and the 42nd Infantry Division Band, led the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in a tradition that dates to 1851.
In Djibouti, Soldiers assigned to Task Force Wolfhound, which is built around the 69th Infantry, marked the day by parading through Camp Lemonnier, the American Base that houses the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa.
The guidons of each of the Task Force Wolfhound companies, including those deployed to out stations in Kenya and Somalia, were carried in the procession.
"I believe it's even more important to adhere to our traditions and lineage while deployed than when we're back state-side," explained Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin, the commander of the 69th Infantry.
The 69th Infantry was organized as a New York militia regiment in 1849 by Irish immigrants to New York City. The regiment began leading the city’s St. Patrick’s day parade in 1851 to prevent anti-Catholic and anti-Irish mobs from attack the marchers.
A host of traditions have grown up around the 69th’s march since then, and both Tabankin in Djibouti and Lt. Col. Padraic Lilly, the rear detachment officer-in-charge did their best to ensure they were honored.
At the end of the day, even with oceans and thousands of miles between them, the 69th conducted another St. Patrick’s Day parade as unified as ever, Tabankin said.
In both New York and Djibouti, the day began with a toast of Irish whiskey by battalion leaders.
In New York Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York; and Lt. General Jon Jense, the director of the Army National Guard joined Lilly and leaders of the 69th rear detachment in a toast at the Lexington Avenue Armory.
In Djibouti, Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, joined Tabankin and his leaders in the toast. In her remarks, she praised the history of the 69th Infantry and the role its Soldiers are playing today.
Prior to the parade up 5th Avenue, the 69th Infantry Soldiers attend a special mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, with a video feed for the Soldiers in Djibouti.
In Djibouti, a special service was held at the Camp Lemonnier chapel presided over by Navy Chaplain (Lt.) Brian Reedy, who was assisted by Chaplain (Capt.) Garth Olsen, the chaplain of the 69th Infantry.
In both places the Soldiers places springs of boxwood in their uniforms in commemoration of the 69th’s role in the Civil War.
During the December 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg, the Soldiers of the Irish Brigade placed green boxwood sprigs on their blue uniforms to show that they were Irish before assaulting the Confederate positions.
It was at Fredericksburg that Confederate General Robert E. Lee reportedly gave the 69th it’s nickname by referring to it as “that fighting 69th regiment.”
And in both places the officers of the 69th carried blackthorn sticks imported from Ireland because they are considered the mark of an Irish gentleman and leader.
In Manhattan, the battalion was accompanied by an Irish Wolfhound, the official mascot of the 69th Infantry.
In Djibouti, there were no Irish Wolfhounds, but two Navy working dog accompanied the marchers.
The Kilmer cross, a crucifix belonging to poet Joyce Kilmer, a member of the 69th Infantry who was killed in combat during World War I, was carried by Tabankin during the parade in Djibouti.
And while the reviewing stand of the New York parade was crowded with New York City officials, in Djibouti the battalion was reviewed by Shawley and her deputy, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Valarie Jackson.
In both locations, though, the Soldiers were applauded by their officers at end of the parade, and recognized with awards and promotions.
Events like this one are important for the unit and its Soldiers, Tabankin said.
"It keeps us rooted to our legacy, sends a message about overcoming adversity by accomplishing something that others might think couldn't or shouldn't be accomplished, and quite simply, it's good for the morale and esprit de corps of our deployed Soldiers in arduous conditions, he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2023 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 441128 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 205 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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