Press Release
☷New York s Fighting 69th Leads Saint Patrick s Day Parade
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Mar 19,2024
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In New York , the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard led the Saint Patrick ' s Day Parade for the 173rd year in a row . This year , the entire battalion returned to march after being deployed to the Horn of Africa . For some soldiers , it was their first and last time celebrating Saint Patrick ' s Day on the streets of New York . Master Sgt . Robert Walsh , who is retiring after 38 years of service , reflected on his 25 parades with the unit . The day starts early with a toast at the armory , followed by a march to Saint Patrick ' s Cathedral for a mass . Pfc . Danyel Rodriguez , a new soldier , enjoyed the parade despite the long day in dress uniform . Lt . Col . Adam Bojarski led the parade for the first time since taking command in October , a tradition dating back to the regiment ' s formation in 1849 . Today , our key partners like the New York Police Department are keeping the parade and the public safe . A group of 69th Soldiers still march in their combat gear with rifles and machine guns for a traditional "show of force . " Bojarski mentioned how important it is for units like the 69th to represent the Army National Guard and the National Guard as a whole . He also mentioned that the battalion will continue leading the parade for years to come , even without Walsh . Bojarski hopes that those who march in his place will feel pride and the amazing energy of the crowd cheering them on . He believes that marching in the parade brings back the reasons why they joined the military in the first place , reminding them of their purpose .
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