Viva Irlanda!

[Xipe Totec]

Bards of humanity, beloved in the US, but in Mexico too:


Following the US declaration of war against Mexico in 1846, an Irish-born deserter from the US army, John O'Reilly, organized a company of soldiers at Matamoros to fight on the side of Mexico against the invading US forces. These foreign volunteers became known as "Las Compañías de San Patricio," and were renowned for their skill as artillerists as well as their bravery in battle for the duration of the war (1846-1848). Not all the San Patricios were deserters from the US army. Their number also included Irish and other Europeans already settled in Mexico, and some historians use Mexican army records as a basis to state that the majority were not deserters. The San Patricios did, however, have a distinctly Irish identity since their name-sake, St. Patrick, is the patron saint of the Irish people. The groups banner displayed an Irish harp surrounded by the Mexican coat-of-arms with a scroll reading, Freedom for the Mexican Republic and underneath the harp was the motto in Gaelic "Erin go Brágh" (Ireland for Ever). On the other side of the banner Saint Patrick was depicted holding a pastoral staff resting on a serpent. A US soldier described it as "a beautiful green silk banner waved over their heads; on it glittered a silver cross and a golden harp, embroidered by the hands of the fair nuns of San Luis Potosí." <4>


Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo presided at the ceremonies marking the sesquicentennial of that tragic event and declared: "One hundred and fifty years ago, here in San Ángel, ... members of the St. Patricks Battalion were executed for following their consciences. They were martyred for adhering to the highest ideals, and today we honor their memory. In the name of the people of Mexico, I salute today the people of Ireland and express my eternal gratitude."





http://www.irlandeses.org/sanpatriciosB.htm

:hi:

[EFerrari]

1. That's so awesome. Gonna go read. Erin go bragh!

:hi:

[Cleita]

2. Muchas gracias por la historia.

My late husband was Irish, from Ireland, not first generation American.

[demosincebirth]

3. In Mexico, they are called "Los San Patricios."

There was a movie out, a few years ago about Los San Patricios, called "One Mans War," starring Tom Berringer. It didn't last long in the theaters, as you can imagine. Not a favorite of true-blue "murkins."


http://www.oaxacatimes.com/html/lossanpatricios.html