NEW YORK, N.Y. – Eight hundred Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment will once again lead the world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, when the annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m.
Since 1851, "The Fighting 69th" has been the lead unit in the parade marking Irish pride. The regiment was organized in 1849 as a New York State militia regiment made up of Irish immigrants.
This will mark the 175th time the 69th Infantry will lead the parade.
"New York City's ‘Fighting 69th’ is always honored to lead the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade," said Lt. Col. Andrew Prior, the battalion's commander. "This year carries special meaning as our battalion marks its 175th time leading the parade."
"In addition, our nation is approaching its 250th anniversary, and our city will remember the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which makes this parade especially significant," Prior added.
The battalion's Soldiers will be joined during the parade by the 42nd Infantry Division Band and New York National Guard senior leaders.
The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, supposedly earned the nickname "Fighting 69th" from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. He is said to have referred to the Irish American unit as "that fighting 69th regiment" following the battle of Fredericksburg in 1863.
The unit's Soldiers have distinguished themselves in the Civil War, World War I, World War II and, since Sept. 11, 2001, deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.
Because of the regiment's roots in Irish American history, St. Patrick's Day is also the 1st Battalion, 69th's "Unit Day," during which the battalion's Soldiers are recognized for their accomplishments.
This year, the battalion will conduct its recognition ceremony at the Park Avenue Armory after the parade because its permanent home in New York's historic Lexington Avenue Armory is being renovated.
The 69th began leading the parade in 1851 because of threats of anti-Catholic and anti-Irish attacks on the procession by nativist groups.
In 2021, when the parade was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of 50 Soldiers from the 69th staged an informal parade up the route to keep the tradition alive.
Also, in the 1981 thriller "Cathedral" by Nelson DeMille, 69th Infantry Soldiers battle Irish terrorists in St. Patrick's Cathedral on St. Patrick's Day.
Traditions of the 69th Infantry and the St. Patrick's Day parade include:
- Soldiers place a sprig of boxwood on their uniforms because members of the Irish brigade put boxwood sprig in their hat bands at the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, to mark their Irish heritage.
- Officers of the 69th carry a fighting stick made of blackthorn wood imported from Ireland because it is considered the mark of an Irish leader and gentleman.
- Soldiers are accompanied on their parade march by two Irish Wolfhounds, the official mascot of the 69th Infantry. The dogs represent the regimental motto: "Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked."
- The battalion commander carries the "Kilmer Crucifix," the religious icon once worn by poet Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action serving in the 69th in World War I.
- Before the parade, the regiment attends a special Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral to honor the regiment's fallen and honor its Irish heritage.
- Just before the parade starts, the head of the parade committee asks the commander if the 69th is ready. The response is: “The 69th is always ready!”
- When the Soldiers return from the parade and begin their unit day ceremonies, they are cheered by the battalion's officers, who render honors and pay tribute to the enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.