By John F. McKeon
Today more than 34 million Americans trace their heritage to Ireland.
Beyond sheer numbers, representing 1/10 of the population, Irish Americans have had a hand in molding the country that we have become. In 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, but you may not know that before his voyage, he stopped in the south of Ireland to pray (as legend would have it, he actually stopped to ask directions) where he picked up a new sailor, Patrick Maguire.
Maguire was the first member of Columbus' crew to step foot on the east coast of what would become the land of the free.
The Irish were reputed as tenacious warriors. In dealing throughout the centuries with their British antagonist, their bravery has been reflected in this nation's military history. Of George Washington's Continental army, 25 percent was of Irish descent, including 20 of his generals. Gen. Richard Montgomery, born in Donegal, was the first of that rank to give his life for our country.
The Declaration of Independence was printed in Philadelphia by Irish printer John Dunlap. Commodore John Barry, born in Wexford County, won the first and last naval battles of the Revolutionary War and is recognized as the father of the United States Navy.
Twenty-three U.S. presidents trace their ancestry to the old sod. This includes John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and on his maternal grandmother's side Barack Obama.
In our great Civil War, President Lincoln initiated the Congressional Medal of Honor -- 202 were bestowed upon sons of Ireland. In fact, the Civil War was the first such conflict chronicled by photographer and Irishman Matthew Brady. Remember the Alamo? Remember Davey Crocket, Bill Travis and Jim Buoy were Irish!
"Wild Bill" Donovan, a hero in both World War I and II, was the first Chief of Counter Intelligence, the predecessor of the CIA. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War II.
Captains Mark and Scott Kelly flew sorties in Operation Dessert Storm before joining NASA and commanding Space Shuttles.
Irish schools in the 19th century were well ahead of the curve when it came to including young women among their students. Many of those young ladies came to our shores in the great waves of immigration during the crisis of the great famines in Ireland and quickly learned the value of their education as it enabled them to independently survive.
Those core values were instilled in their own children. From Boston to San Francisco, many became teachers, and as teachers do, had a profound impact on generations of their students. One such teacher was Ann Sullivan Macey, who after meeting the challenges of her own sight impairment, taught Helen Keller how to communicate.
Faith is a mainstay of the Irish having its genesis in its patron, St. Patrick. Born in Wales, sold into slavery at age 16, escaping four years later, Patrick spent the next 10 years in religious study and then three decades in Ireland teaching Catholicism. The spread of Christianity left little room for the Pagans, which we metaphorically refer to as the snakes that were driven from the island.
There are many leaders in Irish American religious life to reference as examples of how the spirit of St. Patrick lives in our Nation, with one such shining example being one of Newark's newest residents, Cardinal Joseph Tobin.
Jay P. Dolan's "The Irish Americans: A History Book" delves into this remarkable American story with scholarly precision. But beyond the names of those whom history remembers, Irish heritage permeates much deeper. Most Irish Americans have never written books nor built a business empire, or even fought in a war. However, countless patriarchs and matriarchs passed along to their sons and daughters the backbone to be courageous, an unwavering work ethic, the value of education, deep faith in God, love and devotion to one's family and respect for their fellow man.
And yet, despite all of these outstanding accolades the most significant aspect of the story of the Irish in America is that theirs' is no different from others.
Countless scores of people from ethnic groups all over the world have done what the Irish have -- woven their hopes and dreams into the fabric of the United States of America. The mixture of cultures, ideals and religions that has resulted from immigrants coming here in search of opportunity and freedom has provided our country an exceptional character.
This character of inclusion has no doubt attributed to our prosperity at home and influence for good abroad. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
John F. McKeon (D- is a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and former Grand Marshal of the West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade.
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