Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1919-03-15
IRELAND AND THE FLAG.
IcNATTUs MURPHY, KANSAS CITY.

Stars and Stripes were first borne
on the blood-drenched plains OF Eur
ope by Gunner William II. Clancy
at Vimy Ridge, a bullet in his fear
less breast as he swept "over the
top in the first column of the ad-
vancing forces that drove the enemy
before them in the most sanguinary
conflict of the war, and an Irish
American, God bless him, John
Howard Pittman, South Bend, Ind,
fired the first shot in defense of
worldwide liberty as the guns of
Columbia doomed the entrance of
our mighty nation on the scene of
actual hostilities, the soil Of La
fayette.
The first chaplain to give his life
for God and country, Rev. Timothy
Murphy, wore the habit OF q Bene-
dictine father, and when our Illus
trious President, Woodrow Wilson,
sounded the call to arms the sons
of Hibernia thundered Ready"
and rushed to the colors. The or
CARNATIONS known as the Irish reg
iments swung into line with a cheer,
and the Knights OF Columbus, Hi
bernians and kindred societies unani-
mously voted millions for the moral
and material welfare OF the sol
diers at the front, unbarred by creed.
The spirit OF the Celt was never
more martial than on that mo-
mentous day, April, 1917, when one
hundred million freemen, reused TO
righteous anger and holy resolve,
sent forth to victory the American
war eagle, monarch Of the air and
rolling clouds, and made a menaced
world safe, through all the tides of
time, for democracy and republican
institutions. One of the three
pr-ivates first to die in the first en-
gagement with the Teutons bore tho
name of Thomas S. Enright With
two comrades in glory he was buried
on the battle ground with highest
military honors, the War Cross of
France pinned to his breast, and
their last resting place shall ever
be a shrine for generations to come
in the beautiful land of our ally and
sister republic.
William F.. Donnelly, New York
In every crisis of our nations his
tory the men of st. Patrick re-
sponded nobly, and official records
show that though only 1S per cent.
VI Oul kFORuALNAuA NAG VI lAAt AlClCul
faith. yet more than third of our
armed forces worship at the altar
of Mother Church.
In calm of peace or storm of war,
come veal, come woe, those who
cherish in their veins the quick
coursing blood OF the Gael seek no
higher honor, prouder privilege,
greater glory than to march, shout
der to shoulder, as faithful, loyal
sons OF Columbia. brethren to fellow
Americans, each freely offering all
that the Stars and Stripes shall tri-
umphantly wave over the farthest
ramparts of freedom, liberty and
law in the land OF Washington, JEFF
ferson and Lincoln, a land forever
consecrated to religion, morals.
culture, meath the guidance OF the
One who Seeth in secret
o Ireland, Niobe of the nations,
the world knows your sad story, but
dawn is breaking on hills OF hope
and gladness. The heroisrn, sacrifice,
suffering OF the ceturies have not
been In vain. The Miserere OF the
years shall blend in the TIE Deum
OF national independence, the sun of
freedom illumine the green banner
OF the Gael and tine Irish race, bat
ting for liberty In every land, shall
in Gods appointed time come into
their own, the long night Ger, vic
tory won. God save Ireland