Posted by Jim on April 24, 2019
April 23, 2019 By Ray O’Hanlon
If expressions of support from powerful and influential people are anything to go by, Malachy McAllister should have a chance of remaining in the United States after Tuesday, April 30. If those expressions of support are ignored by unnamed powerful and influential people in the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration, all will have been for naught. The latest champion of McAllister’s bid to sustain his American life of 23 years and counting is New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The cardinal, according to McAllister, has reached out to the White House on the Belfast man’s behalf. According to McAllister, Irish Ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall, has highlighted his support for the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process with Vice Admiral David P. Pekoske, acting Deputy Secretary in DHS. Others supporting McAllister’s bid to avoid deportation include NYPD PBA President Patrick Lynch and members of the New York 69th Regiment. Meanwhile, two of Malachy’s children, Nicola and Sean, remain in immigration status limbo. Malachy’s seven-year-old American born son, Cadán, is also a potential casualty if his father is deported. And there are McAllister’s five American-born grandchildren. Many politicians have rallied to McAllister’s side and Congressman Peter King has written a letter to his fellow Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham, urging another effort to secure a stay of deportation. King’s letter to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is reported in this week’s print issue of the Echo. Supporters of McAllister are again pointing to statement some years ago aimed at the Bush administration by President Trump’s sister, former 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Maryanne Trump Barry who stated: “We cannot be the country we should be if, because of the tragic events of September 11th, we knee-jerk remove decent men and women merely because they may have erred at one point in their lives. We should look a little closer; we should care a little more. I would ask – no, I would implore – the Attorney General to exercise his discretion and permit this deserving family to stay.” Trump Barry added at the time: “Congress’s definition of terrorist activity sweeps in not only the big guy, but also the little guy who poses no risk to anyone. It sweeps in Malachy McAllister (and) Malachy’s children, Seán and Nicola, are swept in, too.” She said that were the McAllister family deported, it would mean the words carved on the Statue of Liberty would no longer mean anything. “I refuse to believe that ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free’ is now an empty entreaty, but if it is, shame on us,” she said. Meanwhile, McAllister’s legal team has provided DHS with new evidence confirming collusion in the assassination attempt on the McAllister family in 1988. In addition, said a release from the McAllister campaign, a former loyalist paramilitary leader is currently on trial in Belfast for the attempted murder of McAllister, whose family home was shot up by loyalist gunmen. t was that home attack that prompted McAllister, his late wife Bernadette, and their four children, to flee Northern Ireland, first to Canada and later the United States.
Posted by Jim on April 23, 2019
Posted by Jim on
Brian Boru: “Stand Ye Now For Erin’s Glory”
by William Kenealy
This poem is from the point of view of Brian Boru. He was the High King of Ireland who routed the plunderous and rapacious Danish Vikings at The Battle of Clontarf on 23 April 1014. This was on Good Friday, the day of Christ’s crucifixion, referenced in the poem. Immediately following his great victory, driving the invader away, King Brian was killed. Like many Irish heroes, just when he was needed the most.
“Stand Ye Now For Erin’s Glory”
Stand ye now for Erin’s glory! Stand ye now for Erin’s cause!
Long ye’ve groaned beneath the rigor of the Northmen’s savage laws.
What though brothers league against us? What, though myriads be the foe?
Victory will be more honored in the myriads’ overthrow.
“Proud Connacians! oft we’ve wrangled in our petty feuds of yore;
Now we fight against the robber Dane upon our native shore;
May our hearts unite in friendship, as our blood in one red tide,
While we crush their mail-clad legions, and annihilate their pride!
“Brave Eugenians! Erin triumphs in the sight she sees to-day—
Desmond’s homesteads all deserted for the muster and the fray!
Cluan’s vale and Galtees’ summit send their bravest and their best—
May such hearts be theirs forever, for the Freedom of the West!
“Chiefs and Kernes of Dalcassia! Brothers of my past career,
Oft we’ve trodden on the pirate-flag that flaunts before us here;
You remember Inniscattery, how we bounded on the foe,
As the torrent of the mountain bursts upon the plain below!
“They have razed our proudest castles—spoiled the Temples of the Lord—
Burned to dust the sacred relics—put the Peaceful to the sword—
Desecrated all things holy—as they soon may do again,
If their power to-day we smite not—if to-day we be not men!
“On this day the God-man suffered—look upon the sacred sign—
May we conquer ‘neath its shadow, as of old did Constantine!
May the heathen tribe of Odin fade before it like a dream,
And the triumph of this glorious day in our future annuals gleam!
“God of heaven, bless our banner—nerve our sinews for the strife!
Fight we now for all that’s holy—for our altars, land and life—
For red vengeance on the spoiler, whom the blazing temples trace—
For the honor of our maidens and the glory of our race!
“Should I fall before the foeman, ’tis the death I seek to-day;
Should ten thousand daggers pierce me, bear my body not away,
Till this day of days be over—till the field is fought and won—
Then the holy mass be chanted, and the funeral rites be done.
“Men of Erin! men of Erin! grasp the battle-ax: and spear!
Chase these Northern wolves before you like a herd of frightened deer!
Burst their ranks, like bolts from heaven! Down, on the heathen crew,
For the glory of the Crucified, and Erin’s glory too!
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5-5-5-5 LODD
Firefighter Christopher Slutman
Ladder Company 27
Wake Transportation Arrangements
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Members attending the wake of Firefighter Christopher Slutman on April 25 should be aware that there are no public parking lots available in the vicinity of Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home.
Parking will be available at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. A shuttle service from Orchard Beach to the funeral home will be provided for both the 2:00 – 4:00 PM and the 7:00 – 9:00 PM sessions on Thursday. Shuttle service will begin approximately 30 minutes before each session. Shuttle service will end approximately 45 minutes after the completion of each wake session. Department personnel will be present at both the parking lot and drop off location to direct anyone wishing to utilize this service.
The nearest train is the 2 train at the Bronx Park East station, a half mile walk.
Engine 90 / Ladder 41, located at 1843 White Plains Rd in the Bronx, will be open and available to those attending the wake. The firehouse encourages members to stop by for a cup of coffee, and members are also welcome to use the facilities if needed. |
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FIRE BELL CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
Applications for the Fire Bell Club Scholarship Award are due no later than April 30, 2019. Active Firefighters/Fire Officers who have been accepted to, or are attending an accredited institution of higher learning, and/or Firefighters/Fire Officers pursuing a degree in Fire Service Administration, Public Service Management, Nursing or a related Fire Service discipline and who have completed a minimum of twelve credits are eligible. A written statement of 500 words explaining why an applicant should be considered for the award should be submitted with the application. The winner of the $1,000 scholarship award will be announced Mid-June. Applications are available via email to Lizzette Perez-Cruz, FDNY College Advisor: Lizette.Perez@fdny.nyc.gov.
FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS – CALL FOR CHILI COOKS
Friends of Firefighters is looking for active firefighters to put their original chili recipe to the test at their 2nd Annual Firehouse Chili Cook-Off, a best of the boroughs competition. FF John Manning and FF Franklin Richardson of FDNY Engine 15/Ladder 18 will be crossing the bridge to defend their winning titles. The fundraiser is from 6:00-9:00 PM on Friday, May 17th, at The Hamilton (120 Hamilton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11231) in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Learn more about the event HERE –https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-firefighters-2nd-annual-firehouse-chili-cook-off-tickets-59888161102. There is no cost to enter. Chili can be anything — beans or beanless, beef, steak, pork, turkey, chicken, vegetarian, vegan — if you can cook it and it’s a chili, you can enter it. In addition to bragging rights, winners will receive a trophy for “Crowd Favorite” and “Judges’ Favorite.” To participate, call Marlo at 718-643-0980 or email info@friendsoffirefighters.org.
ROCKIN’ RONNIE STORTZ’S FUNDRAISER
There will be a fundraiser in support of Firefighter Ronnie Stortz, Ladder 107, (9/11 Cancer) on Saturday, June 15, from 12:30 – 4:30 PM at Plattduetsche Park, 1132 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, NY. The event costs $60 for adults, $35 for teens ages 13-20, and $20 for children ages 3-12. Cost includes food, beer, wine, and soda. Raffle tickets are still available. Each raffle ticket is $100 with a chance to win 1st prize of $10,000. Contact Engine 225 / Ladder 107 at 718-965-8225 for more information and for raffle tickets.
BROOKLYN CYCLONES FIREFIGHTERS APPRECIATION NIGHT
The Brooklyn Cyclones will be hosting their 19th Annual FDNY Night on Friday, June 28, at 7:00 PM at MCU Park. $25 Package includesField Box Seat, an exclusive firefighters Cyclones hat, $10 credit towards food & beverage, and a portion of the ticket will be donated towards EMS FDNY Help Fund. Children can also participate in the Field of Dreams Program, which allows children ages 6-12 to take the field with Cyclones players for the National Anthem. Children should wear FD apparel or little league uniform. Those who wish to participate should line up between Sections 22 & 24 at 6 PM. All children will receive a free Cyclones cap. Tickets can be purchased at https://offer.fevo.com/cyclones-vs-lowell-svdxmue-85c2800?fevoUri=cyclones-vs-lowell-svdxmue-85c2800%2F. For more information, contact Kevin Mahoney at 718-37-BKLYN.