SCHUMER HAILS HISTORIC DAY FOR USS PATRICK GALLAGHER

Posted by Jim on July 27, 2024

Seantor Charles Schumer.

Schumer Hails Historic Day for USS Patrick Gallagher

News July 27, 2024 by Ray O’Hanlon

Senator Charles Schumer, who played a decisive role in persuading the United StatesNavy to name its latest Arleigh-Burke class destroyer after Vietnam War hero and Mayo native Patrick “Bob” Gallagher has hailed the the christening of the ship which takes place Saturday at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.

Said Schumer’s office in a statement of greeting to the event: “After a years-long, all-out effort, that included arranging a critical meeting on Long Island between the family of Marine Corps hero Corporal Patrick Gallagher and then-Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer successfully pushed the U.S. Navy to name a destroyer, the Arleigh Burke-class DDG-127, in honor of USMC Corporal Patrick “Bob” Gallagher, and today he is proud to announce that the ship is being christened in Bath, Maine on Saturday, July 27. 

Schumer paid special tribute to then-Secretary Spencer for honoring Corporal Gallagher with the naming of USS Patrick Gallagher.

“Without the speedy, professional and decisive response of Secretary Richard Spencer, we would not be here today to make yet another wonderful announcement. Secretary Spencer knew that Patrick Gallagher’s is a compelling story that fits deeply with the very best traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the way the United States Marine Corps honors its heroes,” said Schumer, New york’s senior senator and majority leader in the U.S. Senate.

Added the statment from Schumer’s office: “Corporal Patrick Gallagher was an Irish immigrant from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo who settled on Long Island in 1962, volunteered on the senate campaign of Bobby Kennedy and later chose to serve in the Marines Corps of his adopted nation – before he was a citizen. While serving in Vietnam, Corporal Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest military award, for his extraordinary heroism during a surprise attack he survived, in which he dove on a live grenade and saved his comrades from injury and death. Tragically, after receiving the Navy Cross directly from General William Westmoreland, Corporal Gallagher was killed in a firefight just days before the end of his tour of duty. 

“In September 2017, joining a robust chorus of supporters on both sides of the Atlantic, Schumer wrote to Secretary Spencer and asked that the Navy pay tribute to Corporal Gallagher’s sacrifice and willingness to serve his adopted nation by naming a ship in his honor. Soon after, Schumer personally invited Secretary Spencer to Long Island to meet the Gallaghers and again made the case for the ship naming in his honor.” 

Added the senator: “The christening of USS Patrick Gallagher is another great day for America and Ireland and all Irish Americans, who have contributed so mightily to the greatness of this nation,” said Schumer. 

“There are few things more special than to know the story of  Long Island’s Patrick Gallagher, an Irish immigrant who simply loved America—died for America—and is rightfully honored by America with a U.S. Navy destroyer adorned with his name.

“Corporal Gallagher’s breathtaking bravery and selflessness has long-deserved to be memorialized and naming a ship in his honor is the perfect tribute to recognizing this Irish-American hero from our very own Long Island. The courage and bravery of our fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, including those immigrants who have made the ultimate sacrifice even before receiving citizenship, is the American dream manifest.”  

Patrick Gallagher was an immigrant from the Irish town of Ballyhaunis in County Mayo and moved to Long Island in 1962. Four years later, Corporal Gallagher chose to serve in the Marines and was stationed in Vietnam. 

“The green and red of Mayo, which was never far from his heart, was replaced by the red, white and blue of Old Glory when Patrick Gallagher became a US Marine for his adopted nation,” said Schumer.

THe statment from Schumer’s office continued: “One night, during the first year of his tour in Vietnam, Corporal Gallagher was involved in a surprise attack by enemy fighters. While his fellow Marines slept, adversaries invaded the area and lobbed grenades into the middle of their camp.

“Heedless of the risk posed to himself, Gallagher kicked a grenade away from the area in which his fellow Marines were sleeping. When another grenade followed, Corporal Gallagher threw himself on the deadly grenade in order to absorb the explosion and save the lives of his comrades. Using his quick wits, Corporal Gallagher was able to throw the grenade he was lying on into a nearby river, and escape the situation without injury. Corporal Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross – directly by General William Westmoreland –  for his bravery during the surprise attack incident. 

In 1967, Corporal Gallagher was tragically killed in action on one of his last scheduled days in Vietnam. Gallagher is one of more than 30 Irish citizens killed in the Vietnam War.”

Continued Senator Schumer: “And now, in the tradition of other Long Island heroes, like Lt. Michael Murphy, the USS Gallagher will soon set sail and make our nation proud.”

In his September 2017 letter and phone calls and meetings with Secretary Spencer, Schumer demonstrated there is precedence for honoring heroic immigrant service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Schumer explained that a Navy destroyer had been named after fallen USMC hero Rafael Peralta, also a recipient of the Navy Cross, for heroic actions that very closely parallel those of Corporal Patrick Gallagher’s.

“The USS Patrick Gallagher pays rightful tribute to Corporal Gallagher’s sacrifice, to his willingness to serve his adopted nation, and will serve as a permanent reminder to all of his bravery, selflessness and patriotism,” Schumer noted.

Schumer had said that the naming of a destroyer for Corporal Gallagher was consistent with the Navy’s policy of naming destroyers for ‘distinguished heroes who are deceased members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.’

Schumer was not alone in his plea for a Navy ship to be named after Corporal Gallagher. A petition, started in 2013, surpassed its goal of 10,000 signatures. 

Saturday’s christening can be viewed online at https://vimeo.com/event/4279175 starting at 11 a.m. east coast time.

Prison authorities resorted to extreme measures following abortive escape attempt by Gerry Adams

Posted by Jim on

Uproar over Treatment of Long Kesh Visitors – On This Day in 1974

By Cormac Moore

July 27 1974

There was bitter criticism in republican circles about the way relatives of men held at the Maze Prison, Long Kesh, were treated after yesterday’s abortive escape attempt by Gerry Adams by switching places with a visitor.

Belfast Comhairle Ceanntair Kevin Street Sinn Féin said that not only were relatives refused visits, but were subjected to the worst harassment yet from security forces at the camp.

A statement said that a list of people injured during a massive security clamp-down had been drawn up. The most seriously injured was Mrs Margaret Slane, from the Belfast Divis Flats.

The statement claimed that Mrs Slane, who three weeks ago gave birth by caesarean operation, was “mauled by guard dogs”, resulting in the wound reopening. She had been struck in the face by a soldier.

A woman, named only as Mrs O’Neill, suffered a mild heart attack.

Mrs Grace Gartland, from Short Strand, also had dogs set on her, the statement said. But for her own quick reactions and intervention by several male visitors, she would have been seriously injured. She was later treated by her doctor for severe shock.

“Not content with this, and while visitors were being set upon by dogs, soldiers and army policewomen were pillaging the parcels office. They destroyed or ate every food parcel, besides letting dogs walk over food which had been tumbled out of parcels.”

The statement added: “Merlyn Rees [Secretary of State] speaks of the ‘violent men’ who are interned to justify the retention of internment, but he should look to the violent men of the British Army who vent their spleen on innocent women and children.”

The Sean McCaughey-James Saunders Sinn Féin Cumann, in a statement, also condemned what it called “the Gestapo-type tactics” used on visitors to the Maze yesterday. Many of them had to receive first aid after their ordeal.

Gerry Adams, who has previously attempted to escape from the camp where he is a detainee, is believed to have shaved off his beard and cut his hair a short time ago and begun wearing a false beard and wig.

Apparently his idea was to switch places with a clean-shaven visitor, who would then wear the disguise until 25-year-old Adams had left the camp with other visitors. But the plot was uncovered by a prison officer who noticed the switch-over.

After internee Gerry Adams’s failed attempt to escape, prison authorities resorted to extreme measures, including severely rough handling of visitors. In 2020, Mr Adams had two convictions for attempting to escape the camp overturned in the Supreme Court after his detention was ruled unlawful.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a great friend of Ireland, of his beloved and native Mayo and a great personal friend who helped me over the years in my work with the Mayo community across the US. My thoughts today are with Aine Sheridan, Adrian’s wife and business partner over the years – his rock – and with his children and his grandchildren. Thank you Adrian. Rest easy and at peace.

Posted by Jim on July 26, 2024

Joe McDonnell

Posted by Jim on July 10, 2024

Scramble for All-Ireland tickets starts as Rebels halt Limerick drive for 5

Posted by Jim on July 7, 2024

Story by Thomas Lawrance

Cork’s Tim O’Mahony celebrates© INPHO/Bryan Keane

Cork have beaten Limerick in a sellout match at Croke Park this afternoon – and made it through to the All-Ireland hurling final against Clare on July 21.

Despite getting a yellow card late in the game, Cork’s Brian Hayes managed to bag Man of the Match.

After the win Cork manager Pat Ryan told RTÉ: “‘I thought they were going to come back and bate us, like they do everyone else!’

It’s a blow for Limerick, who were hoping for their fifth All-Ireland trophy in a row. Now all that remains to be seen is whether the title will go to Cork or Clare on Sunday, July 21.

The M7 was packed today as fans made their way to Croke Park – and traffic is likely to be busy again in two weeks as they return in their thousands for the final.

Kilkenny were knocked out by Clare yesterday – with Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng saying Clare ultimately deserved the win: “I have to credit Clare. They were winning most of the battles and the credit goes to them.”

Now Rebels and Banner fans alike are waiting to see if Clare pulls it out of the bag again in a fortnight’s time – or whether Cork brings home the gold.

May the road rise to meet you.