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WILKES-BARRE — Yesterday, I dined on some really good ham and cabbage with a couple of potatoes and a lot of carrots and I washed it all down with a few sips of Guinness.

Another St. Patrick’s Day celebration has arrived for this Irish/Polish guy who has never worn his ethnicity on his sleeve, but is proud of his heritage.

I have never been a member of any Irish, or Polish for that matter, organization, nor have I ever embraced the often exaggerated “Irish traits” of excessive drinking, wielding a shillelagh, or kissing the Blarney Stone.

To me, being Irish is much more than these socially challenging practices. I am proud to have an O’ as part of my last name, although too many people fail to recognize it and just call me Boyle. Many of these same people also assume by first name is Bob, but that’s another story.

Anyway, eating ham and cabbage was a somewhat regular thing in our house just because it’s such a delicious combination. We also often enjoyed those Polish dishes my mom (last name Kraszewski) prepared, like pierogi, halushki, plotzki (potato pancakes) and piggies. Why should such delicacies be enjoyed only during certain holidays or celebrations?

It had been many years since I walked in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but last Saturday I joined several colleagues at this newspaper to walk down South Main Street in the annual event. I gotta tell you, I am glad I did. Not only was I happy to see all of the participants lining up to strut their collective stuff, it was absolutely thrilling to see all of the parade watchers on the route.

As we made our way down South Main, I couldn’t help but think about the thousands, maybe millions, who have either participated in this parade, or watched it from the sidewalks. It gave me pause to realize that this event is a great way to not just celebrate Irish heritage, but to also lift a glass or two to the community we live in.

The atmosphere was exhilarating — everybody was smiling and waving and kids were everywhere, wide-eyed when a fire truck or a Clydesdale or a vintage car or the TL News Bear would go by. This was an event that renewed whatever spirit we have left in these trying days. It clearly showed there are so many good people in this community who are struggling to provide the best for their families and who look forward to any reason to gather with friends, neighbors and even strangers to celebrate.

On this Sunday, everyone was a bit Irish — they wore green, they sported shamrocks, they smiled and said “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” They put aside their worries, their concerns, their problems to come out to watch the parade and show their kids how a community can get together, whether it be to celebrate the spirit of an Irish saint, a jolly old elf, a candy-giving bunny or, as in other towns, to celebrate the tomato, pierogi, or kielbasa.

And then I traveled in the Way Back Machine to a few years after the 1972 Agnes flood. I was working at the Redevelopment Authority of Luzerne County and there were two authentic Irishmen I got to know extremely well. George Horn and Paul Gallagher, both now deceased, were as Irish as Irish could be and they let you know it, but never in an offensive way. These two guys, if cut, would bleed Kelly green.

I even wrote a poem for them called “An Irish Quart.” They really liked it. George even sent it over to the Emerald Isle to friends and relatives and I’m told it was published in several Irish publications.

It was good to remember those guys and how they really epitomized what it is to be Irish. I often think about them and wish that I could sit down and have that ham and cabbage dinner with them.

And Friday night I was lucky enough to attend the Greater Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons dinner. Got to meet and talk to legendary football coach Dick Vermeil. And I got to see a great Irish celebration once again.

I remember one year when President Obama showed up to speak in Scranton on St. Patrick’s Day wearing a blue tie. I brought it to his attention — he quickly switched ties with a staffer, who was wearing a more appropriate Irish green tie.

I’ll leave you with my favorite Irish quote: “It’s my rule never to lose me temper till it would be detrimental to keep it.”

It reminds me of my father, who would be pushed to the absolute furthest end before yelling at me. And believe me, I did push.

Wear the green, be Irish for a day (or longer) and I hope you had a truly Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Bill O’Boyle
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_OBoyle_Columnshot-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgBill O’Boyle

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at [email protected].