The Irish in Korea
Memorial Page Archive

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Helen Lavin – Arigna (203) 382 0179
Helen Lavin <helenlavin@yahoo.com>
Fairfield , CT USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 11:14:47 (EDT)

Helen
Helen Lavin <helenlavin@yahoo.com>
Fairfield, CT USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2003 at 11:07:24 (EDT)

Will remember them, especially the ones from County Kerry.
KerryKate <cbcoburn@telus.net>
Kerry/and BC Canada - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 03:06:42 (EST)

Helen.
Helen Young <cool.helen@btinternet.com>
By Dundee, Scotland - Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 08:58:59 (EST)

Anthony Fortune
Anthony Fortune <a_fortune@yahoo.com>
Dublin, Ireland - Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 08:01:20 (EST)

The campaign to grant posthumous citizenship was started 25 years ago by John Leahy, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and a decorated Korean War Veteran of the US Army. It is only his sheer determination and strength of conviction that carried the drive through to this day. John's hard work and perseverance took on a new life about 18 months ago. It is that timeframe I wish to address, while thanking the people who worked in the legislative trenches.

To Marilyn K. Litt, the Webmaster of Chicago
What can I say? Your website is a work of art. It is the glue that held us all together. I have visited the site often. It has had a tremendous impact on me personally. When I read the names of the young Irish Men who paid the supreme sacrifice in Korea, I always leave the site with a deep sense of gratitude to those who died in combat, grateful that I had survived, and imbued with renewed vigor to pursue the citizenship cause on their behalf. A million thanks, Marilyn, for a job well done. I don't know you. Those who do are blessed.

To Brian McGinn of Alexandria Virginia.
A million thanks to you, also. You are a cut above the rest of us. Few people know the amount of solid leadership and hard work you have put into this cause. If the website is the glue that holds us all together, then you are the one with the glue brush in his hand. There should be a Brian McGinn in every US city.

To John Leahy of Lixnaw, Co Kerry and Florida,
You began the citizenship cause a quarter century ago. Your tireless effort often fell on deaf ears. You were not discouraged. You persevered and won the day, the mark of a true man. I have been proud to work with you. Your shining moment occurred during the Memorial Mass you organized at Gaelic Park, in New York City. People came there from far and near, relatives and friends of the fallen soldiers. We, grown men, seasoned veterans, shed gentle tears. Go raib mait agut, a chairde gael.

To Ray O'Hanlon and the Irish Echo,
It was your article almost 18 months ago, in the Irish Echo, about John Leahy and his cause that got me involved. From that day on, you pursued the matter with timely articles, editorial opinion and contacting the congressional sponsors with questions and comment. Thanks for a job well done and your continued service to your Irish readers.

To the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Massachusetts,
The story of HR 2623 is really an AOH story. From its ranks came the people who worked in the trenches to get the job done. I commend our brothers, especially State President, Richard McDonald, State Secretary, Paul Harrington, and Division 19 President, Angus McDonald. From my own division, Worcester's Division 36, thanks to President John Rooney, Jerry Leary and his son, Jim Leary. In his capacity as a State Representative in Massachusetts, Jim Leary galvanized support for this cause in the Massachusetts Legislature. From the Ladies AOH, Mary Herlihy-Knittle.

HR 2623 began its life in the form of a resolution I penned and introduced at a meeting of Division 36 AOH in Worcester, Massachusetts, in April 2001. In part, the resolution requested, "that the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation do whatever is necessary to gain posthumous citizenship for Irish-born soldiers killed while serving with the American Armed Forces in Korea." The resolution included any other immigrant from any other country who might qualify. The resolution was again introduced and passed at the Massachusetts Biennial convention of the AOH in June 2001. Secretary, Paul Harrington, immediately contacted all the Massachusetts Congressmen. Angus McDonald contacted Congressman Meehan directly. State Representative Jim Leary contacted Congressman McGovern. State President McDonald contacted Congressman Barney Frank.

Less than two months after the AOH state convention in June, HR 2623 was introduced in Congress by Congressman Meehan and co-sponsored by Congressmen McGovern and Frank. This was a resounding success for the Massachusetts AOH.

John Leahy, the Irish immigrant who began this citizenship cause said, "Without the interest and work of the Massachusetts AOH, this project would be dead in the waters." Thanks again to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation especially Meehan, McGovern and Frank, and the total of 74 Congressmen who also co-signed the bill, which was passed on September 26 with a vote of 400 yea and 4 nay.

The bill had the support of three prominent national veterans organization, namely, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Noncommissioned Officers Association (NCOA) and the American Legion. General P. X. Kelley, Retired Commander of the United States Marine Corp. supported this endeavor since its inception.

An unsung hero in this citizenship cause is local Worcester businessman and general chairman of the Worcester County Korean War Memorial, Frank Carroll. Among Frank's friends are several senators and congressmen. Frank was unwavering in his support for this cause. During the last three months, the bill seemed to be stuck in committee and I feared greatly that it would die there. I once again contacted Frank Carroll for his help. Suddenly, to my surprise and delight, the bill was moved out of committee and approved in the house. Was it Frank Carroll's recent action that moved the bill?

Another unsung hero is Mary Herlihy-Knittle, the first born of my five children. She is a member of the Ladies AOH. She did all of the clerical work regarding the formation of the resolution, all of the letters to congressmen and other people and prepared a marvelous program for the Memorial Mass, held in New York in the fall of last year.

Lest we forget, I submit to you this true story of Michael Murphy, a man from Cork City, Ireland. Murphy was not a member of the US Military, yet his devotion to the cause and to his adopted country was so great that he took a leave of absence from the Alaskan State Police Force to serve as a civilian advisor to the South Vietnamese Police Field Force during that time. Shortly after his death in a 1968 Viet Cong ambush, his friends in Seward, Alaska received a letter from him, which he had written before his death. In part it said, " I have always felt that dying is the only certainty in this life and therefore is of little consequence…. what really matters is how a man dies and the reason or cause for which he dies."

The great country that John Leahy, Jerry Leary and I, as well as legions of other immigrants, adopted as our home and proudly fought for, is worthy of such emotion. The 28 Irish-born soldiers, in addition to many religious and civilian Irish-born who died and were identified during this process, are testimony to this. We honor their memory and thank them for their valor. Today we know that the Government of the United States of America will recognize them with posthumous citizenship and we can have peace that our brothers and sisters will know this has been a worthy effort with a truly satisfying result.

The Memorial Project Board are mostly Veterans who served in various conflicts over the past 60-odd years, including Korea and Vietnam, and who have come together to establish a lasting and evolving legacy honouring those who served outside, though not excluding, the Irish Defence Forces. 

On Sunday 26 May, our Annual Service for Memorial Day will take place in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Athlone, County Westmeath at 12 noon, followed by an informal Wine Reception in the Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone. The Board of Directors cordially invite all Veterans and relatives of Veterans, either in Ireland, or who may be in Ireland on that day, to come and join us in Athlone. The wearing of medals and ribbons is always encouraged and welcomed. 

Further details on the Irish Veterans Memorial Project can be found on our work-in-progress web-site www.irishveteransmemorial.com or e-mail info@irishveteransmemorial.com. 

Declan P. Hughes, Coordinator, Irish Veterans Memorial Project
Capel Chambers, 119 Capel Street
Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland
T/F - +353.1.87 22 371

Declan P. Hughes <dhughes@irishveteransmemorial.com>
Dublin, Ireland - Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 11:09:01 (CDT)

Ken served in the Navy during the Korean War. He did a lot of good for veterans everywhere. Ken held a jurist doctorate degree and was an assistant attorney general for the State of New York, retiring in 1990 as chief of the litigation bureau. Thereafter, the Korean War Association and the Northeast New York Chapter of the KWVA kept him busy. He also was a supporter of our CPL Clair Goodblood [MOH] Chapter, KWVA. Ken also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Amphibious Forces Association. In addition, he supported the Korean War Project and the Korean War Educator . He had contacts all over the country with people who are busy making sure that our Korean War veterans and those who did not come home are not forgotten. He was compiler/editor of "Rensselaer County Heroes Korean War 1950-1953: The Forgotten Remembered." 

Ken was dedicated to researching information on Korean War deceased and living veterans for a number of government agencies and for just about anyone who needed his help. Before he died, he was involved in a project to help Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission update their casualty files. He also worked closely with the Air Force and helped that service with their casualty accounting. He also searched out relatives of our missing dead to obtain informtion for DPMO (POW-MIA Office)to help them identify recovered remains. He is sorely missed. Rest in Peace my friend!
Martin J. O'Brien <CavKVet50@aol.com>
Augusta, ME USA - Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 21:08:01 (CST)

Tom's own father, Tom Ward Senior, was also in the U.S.Army, in WW I. After discharge, he roomed with his sister in Chicago. Subsequently, he returned to Carrickmacross and was the owner of a famous pub there. His nickname was MURPHY.
John McCluskey <jjm6644>
Hudson , Fl USA - Monday, February 25, 2002 at 14:10:18 (CST)

John Canty
 30 Tower Drive
 Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry
IRELAND
PHONE 066-7131721

John Canty <jbpsac@eircom.net>
CO. KERRY, IRL - Monday, February 25, 2002 at 08:01:48 (CST)

My Uncle John Canty was killed in Korea in 1951. I would like to thank you for remembering him on this site.  I hope his name along with the other Irish men and women killed in Korea will be included on the war memorial plaque in
Washington ,DC. A special thanks to John Leahy for his efforts in this matter. 

Jerry Canty
21.02.02 23.35

Jerry Canty <coniconoir@hotmail.com>
Ireland - Thursday, February 21, 2002 at 17:50:47 (CST)

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