PEP, April 2009: Wearing of the green

By JANE LaTOUR

Marshaling all the pageantry of a traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the DC 37 Irish Heritage Committee hosted a memorable, festive party March 6. The 17thannual celebration included the ever-popular Knights of Columbus Pipe Band and the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy as well as the Canny Brothers Band, putting in their first DC 37 appearance and playing traditional Irish songs of struggle, nationhood and love.

Committee Chair John Townsend and Co-chair Bernadette O’Leary Enzmann gave the revelers a warm welcome, and piping hot Irish food was served. Townsend praised the committee members for doing such a great job. Franciscan Father Christopher Keenan, an FDNY Chaplain and member of Local 299, offered the benediction.

“The better we understand each other, the stronger we are as a union,” said Assistant to the Executive Director Colleen Detroy, who spoke on behalf of Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “As we celebrate Irish heritage tonight, we are also recognizing the important contributions of the Irish to this country, our labor movement and our union.”

The Canny Brothers played “The Star Spangled Banner” and “A Soldier’s Song,” the Irish national anthem. After a vigorous display of traditional and improvised step dancing, the floor was opened to all with an invitation to join the fun and learn a few steps.

Ireland forever
The committee honored the long and valued service of former Local 2627 President Ed Hysyk, now retired, and Schools Division Assistant Director Barbara Wehner, who is about to retire. “I’ve enjoyed sharing our Irish heritage,” said Wehner, who encouraged everyone to join the committee. “The friendships you make will be your pot of gold.”

One table in the packed room was filled with members of Local 1549 from the Dept. of Citywide Administrative Services, an outing organized by Chapter Chair Marilyn Steeps. “We all have to learn to appreciate each other’s cultures,” she said. Decked out in a green sweater, Steeps pronounced herself, “Irish for the night!”

Co-worker Carol Neufville, new to her job and the union, seconded that opinion and said, “I love multicultural events.”

Veronica Tigner, a member for 20 years, came for the first time to the Irish heritage event, where she exhibited a distinct gift for step dancing, moving enthusiastically to the music. “Everyone should come and take part in this celebration,” she said.

Irish Heritage Committee members invited every-one to join them at the 248th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.