Friends and Comrades:

On behalf of the 69th NYSV Historical Association, Inc., I invite you and your organization to join Company “A”, 69th Regiment New York State Volunteers in our 24th annual portrayal of General Thomas Francis Meagher’s Irish Brigade in the 251st annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade will be held on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, 2012.

As in years past, we will have the use of the 69th Regiment Armory as our base of operations for the parade. Those of us who will have the privilege of being in the Armory and marching in the parade on St. Patrick's Day are reminded that we will be portraying Meagher’s Irish Brigade in the presence of those who recently served in combat as well as veterans whose combat service dates as far back as World War II. Accordingly, the highest standards of conduct are required from each of our participants in order to properly honor those whom we portray and to demonstrate our respect and appreciation to their successors. As in previous years, this includes not only a participant’s appearance, but also his or her conduct in the Armory and elsewhere throughout or time there. It is required that each participating living historian shall conduct himself or herself with the dignity and solemnity befitting the occasion.

The 69th Regiment Armory is located 68 Lexington Avenue (between 25th and 26th Streets) in Manhattan. We hope to use the “Garryowen Club” for our traditional reception the evening before the parade as in years past. We also expect to be afforded space for all participants who desire to stay overnight to bivouac in the Armory on 16 March, the evening before the parade. While the Armory is warm and sheltered, remember it is a military facility, not a hotel. Each participant must provide his or her own bedding, toiletries, etc. Male and female latrines and shower facilities are available. There is no parking in the Armory itself, but there is parking on the streets and there are several parking lots in the vicinity.

For those arriving early enough on Friday, 16 March, I would like to take a group to the New York Historical Society to view a very special painting called “Return of the 69th (Irish) Regiment from the Seat of War”. It was painted by Louis Lang in 1862-3 and was donated by him to the Historical Society in 1886 where it was displayed until 1945, after which it was kept in storage. Recently restored, the painting measures an impressive 7 by 11 ½ feet. There are many interesting details that can be seen in the computerized image of the painting on the historical society’s website, including Meagher on horseback and returning soldiers wearing red shirts and havelocks. This painting is part of a larger exhibit called “Making American Taste: Narrative Art for a New Democracy.” Please let me know if any from your group would be interested in going to see this.

Our placement in the line of march with the County Waterford Association of New York has not yet been published for this year. Last year, the line of march had us stepping out onto Fifth Avenue at 2:10 p.m. although the actual step-off time was later. Armed with that information, we formed our battalion just outside of the Armory at 12 noon on parade day. We then proceeded to the 28th Street Station of the Lexington Avenue Subway and traveled via subway to Grand Central Station. From there we marched to our designated assembly area on East 47th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. We should anticipate a similar routine for this year. Once the time is posted for filing out onto the avenue, we will be able to establish the time at which we will form the battalion at the Armory. As in years past, participants can expect to be on their feet for four to five hours and march a total of about three miles during the day. At the end of the parade we will return to the Armory by subway and the Garryowen Club should be open for participants and guests alike.

The command and uniformed staff of our battalion will be provided by members of the 69th NYSV Historical Association. Any other battalion field or staff positions will be permitted only upon approval of the 69th NYSV. No one shall hold any rank above captain without the express approval of the 69th NYSV. The makeup of each company, typically 20 to 25 men each, will depend on the numbers mustered by each unit; therefore we are asking that everyone have their registrations in by March 1 so we can form equal size companies ahead of time. Because this year's parade falls on a Saturday, we expect more marchers than in the last few years and anticipate fielding at least 3 companies plus field music. Smaller units joined together in the same company will have to work out their commissioned officer and NCO assignments. All officer and non-commissioned officer impressions are subject to approval by the 69th NYSV Historical Association. The uniform of the day will be specified in detail in the next update, but all enlisted personnel should wear sack coats (4 button fatigue blouse) and forage caps. Bedrolls and knapsacks shall not be worn. If the weather warrants it, greatcoats will be required.

Citizens in 19th century attire are welcome to march with us and non-period civilians are also welcome to march behind the military component.

I would ask that all unit commanders or liaisons confirm with me at your earliest convenience the number of civilian and military marchers you plan on bringing. Also, please confirm how many expect to sleep in the Armory on 16 March so we can do our best to accommodate everyone.

There will not be any registration fee for the parade this year. Please see the additional attachments which include the Registration Form. I would ask that each unit send in a single Registration Form to me at your earliest convenience. You may send it to me via email at ammegill@hotmail.com or by regular mail, addressed to Andrew Megill, 608 Oak Terrace, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742.

Event Information January 19, 2011 Information Letter in MS Word and PDF formats Unit Registration Form in MS Word and PDF formats Event Standards and Rules in MS Word and PDF formats

I will send out the next update once I find out about the use of the Garryowen Club. The last update with our placement in the line of march and any other final arrangements or changes will be sent out in early March. In the meantime, please feel free to write (regular or e-mail) or call me with any questions you have. Please do not call after 11:00 o’clock in the evening. I look forward to seeing you all on St. Patrick’s Day.

Your obedient servant,

Andrew M. Megill NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade Liaison 69th NYSV Historical Association, Inc.