Celebrating our Heritage on St. Patrick’s Day
One of the things I love about East Hartford is the great diversity of national backgrounds that our residents bring to this community. Special celebrations provide us an opportunity to learn from each other and to celebrate our differences, which are some of the things that bind us together. I think it is important to to celebrate with our neighbors, and I wholeheartedly believe that we as a community can celebrate every nationality regardless of our personal connection.
In that spirit, I would like to wish all of our residents a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, revered in Irish folklore for driving the snakes out of Ireland. In America, St. Paddy’s Day is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of Irish Americans in US History and in our community, and to celebrate the contributions of Irish immigrants and Irish culture.
Irish Americans have been a key part of East Hartford’s history, moving to our community to work in manufacturing in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, settling here, raising families, and making a lasting imprint on our great Town and state. I would like to thank and recognize the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee, which organizes the Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year. The CCCCC and the ten participating town parade committees work together to make the parade – now in its 46th year – a reality.
I also want to thank our great East Hartford parade committee, who put so much time and effort into fundraising and organizing East Hartford’s entry each year. Our delegation has a proud tradition of winning accolades at the parade. Last year the East Hartford Police Department won “Best Police Department” for the second year in a row. The East Hartford High School Band also won last year, carrying on a tradition that has seen them win “Best High School Band” every year except one since 2005. I hope you’ll join me in wishing them the “luck of the Irish” at this Saturday’s parade.
Finally, I want to congratulate this year’s East Hartford parade honorees. This year, Lionel Lessard Jr., East Hartford resident, volunteer, and businessperson was recognized as our town’s honoree, and Patricia Gantley O’Connell, a devoted member of East Hartford’s Irish American community, will serve as Parade Marshall.
East Hartford has much to celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day. Best wishes to you and your family, and Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!