Latest news with #St.Patrick'sDayParade
Epoch Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Why I Believe in America's Story
My wife and I visited our daughter's home in an affluent Fresno, California, neighborhood not long ago. We strolled out back, and from the second-story veranda, she and her husband hung a large American flag, visible to everyone on the golf course below. Surprised to see it, I felt tears well up. This sudden outpouring of emotion seemed silly to me. My son-in-law noticed and expressed surprise. Choked up, all I could muster was, 'Well, I was born on the Fourth of July, after all.' My patriotism may have originated with my birthday, but of course it's so much more than that. Heroism, compassion, and altruism often move me to tears, and the United States of America encompasses all of these qualities. I don't claim to be a historian, but surely the history of the United States has more than its share of evocative tales. Briefly study any era of America's short history, and an inspiring story of hope, or courage, or selflessness, or community, will surely emerge. I was a schoolteacher for 30 years. While teaching American literature to my high school students, I focused on stories that elucidate those themes. In September, I would tell the story of my neighbor David McDonald. His company had an office in New York City that looked out onto the World Trade Center towers. He took the events of 9/11 personally, and a month or so afterward, he chartered an airliner for first responders. 'You folks have had a tough few weeks. You need a break. Any first responder that wants to come to California for a few days will be my guest, all expenses paid.' Regardless of where the crowd went in our little agricultural and cattle community of Clovis, California, New Yorkers' money was not accepted. The following year, the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department asked Dave to be their grand marshal at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Years later, at Dave's funeral, one of those firefighters came to say goodbye to Dave and said that trip literally saved his life from suicide. I would also find a chance to tell my students the story of Jerry Parr. There's an unobtrusive, often overlooked poster in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library just a few hours south of where I live. It's for a movie called 'Code of the Secret Service' that starred Ronald Reagan. As a child, Jerry Parr saw the movie several times and decided to set his sights on becoming a Secret Service agent. He succeeded. Not only did he become a Secret Service agent, his detail ended up serving none other than Reagan himself who had become president! Amazing, but that's not all. He was on duty the day of the assassination attempt on Reagan, and it was he who made the decision to go straight to the hospital rather than to the White House, thus saving the president's life. Who would have thought? In the spring, I would teach my students that, at a minimum, a cursory knowledge of World War II is essential to understanding our world today. It is certainly the most cataclysmic event of the past hundred years, probably of the past one thousand, and possibly in the history of mankind. Stories of courage, heroism, and self-sacrifice are too numerous to tell. Yet those virtues are the summation of America's war involvement. 'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.' (John 15:13) All of America struggled for four years, and nearly half a million military members made the ultimate sacrifice to save our neighbors overseas from despotism and hatred. An overview of World War II was a precursor to teaching John Knowles' masterpiece novel, 'A Separate Peace.' It's set at a prestigious boys' school in New Hampshire, where the students would presumably be insulated from the unfolding horrors of the war. But soon, their sports and classical studies are replaced with training exercises preparing them for the battlefield—which had become their destiny. Told in retrospect with beautiful prose, the novel is written from the main character's perspective, and he comes to realize how much fear saturated those days. He learns that 'wars are caused by something ignorant in the human heart.' He is chagrined to learn that that includes his heart, or at least it did, until his best friend purified it with unconditional, sacrificial love. ' I was ready for the war, now that I no longer had any hatred to contribute to it .' It's a marvelous, poignant story of self-discovery, coming of age, and redemption—an American story. I carry these and so many other epic stories deep within. They comprise my psyche, my soul, and my being. It's no wonder I find genuine symbols of patriotism so touching. They indicate that others also deeply appreciate our America. This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
CEO reveals secret to his success — his journey from janitor to head of behemoth Northwell Health
His drive never flatlined. Michael Dowling, the outgoing CEO of Northwell Health, has revealed in detail to The Post how he went from janitor to helping to build a behemoth system of 28 tri-state hospitals and 1,050 outpatient centers from a single Long Island facility over three decades. 'It's been an interesting journey,' said Dowling, 75, who grew up impoverished in Ireland and lived in a thatched-roof house without running water, to The Post, recalling how he left home for New York at 16 in the 1960s. 5 Michael Dowling, the outgoing CEO of Northwell Health, has revealed how he went from janitor to helping to build a behemoth system of 28 tri-state hospitals and 1,050 outpatient centers. James Messerschmidt 'I worked on the boats in Manhattan, I worked in construction, I worked in the plumbing business based out of New Rochelle — but mostly doing a lot of work in Yonkers in the Bronx. I worked cleaning out bars in Queens,' said Dowling, who will step down from his top spot in October. Sweating in boat boiler rooms, sweeping floors as a custodian, and performing any other manual labor never bothered the man from Knockaderry, who said it was great to just be 'able to put a little money in your pocket' for the first time. He then worked and saved enough to get an undergraduate arts degree and eventually earn a master's in human-services policy in 1974 from Fordham University, where Dowling began teaching social policy and rose to the rank of assistant dean. In 1995, after earning a polished resume in the Department of Health and Human Services and other high-ranking places, he was recruited as an executive to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. 5 Michael J. Dowling and Volodymyr Zelenskyy together at the Staten Island University Hospital. Lee S. Weissman/Northwell Health 'I knew it would turn out better than what I had growing up,' said Dowling, who became CEO of the growing hospital system in 2002 and was later named grand marshal of Manhattan's 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade in recognition of his success. 'You do the best work you possibly can. You treat people well. You work harder than anybody else. You give it your best,' he said. 'When you kind of climb the ladder of life, you don't know where the top rung is.' Surgical precision Dowling entered uncharted waters quickly when he helped merge North Shore with failing Glen Cove Hospital in the mid-1990s, starting a domino effect that reshaped healthcare by eventually absorbing several underperforming facilities on Long Island. 5 Dowling said he would walk the COVID floor of a Northwell hospital each day during the pandemic. Lee S. Weissman/Northwell Health 'There were no health systems in existence at all in this part of the country,' he said. 'When you got to about 1996, we had about nine hospitals. … Most people were looking at us and thinking, 'What the heck are you doing?' ' The drama flared that year when North Shore began another merger, this time a contentious joining with its longtime rival, Long Island Jewish of New Hyde Park. Although the two sides had so much 'animosity' that they had to meet 'in a neutral location' to get the deal done, the federal government became the real obstacle, Dowling recalled. 'The Justice Department, I believe in response to advocacy by the insurance companies, sued us and took us to court to prevent the merger,' Dowling said. 'It ended up at a two-week court trial — and we won.' The acquisitions in the 1990s paved the way for Northwell's expansion into New York City, Westchester County, and, more recently, Connecticut, with an April merger with Nuvance Health. Dowling said the healthcare giant now has its sights set on New Jersey. 'If you've traveled for more than a half an hour and you don't see one of our locations, call us because we've got to put something in there,' he quipped. Bantering with the boss But Dowling said that if there's one part of the gig he most loves, it's getting to know his nearly 105,000 employees. 'It's unbelievably important,' said Dowling, who takes workers out to monthly dinners, walks the COVID floor of a Northwell hospital each day during the pandemic, and spends each Monday giving a two-hour orientation and Q&A to new hires, with a special one for physicians. 5 Outgoing Northwell CEO Michael Dowling, after receiving his Honorary degree at University College Dublin, with his siblings. Courtesy of Northwell 'This is not done that often by CEOs — although I can tell you that a number of them are now doing it because they found out I was doing it,' he said. More than just a warm welcome, the sessions make hiring managers think twice about who they are onboarding — and are an easy way to spot out any newcomer with a lousy attitude, the CEO said. 'There have been occasions when I've asked employees at orientation to leave,' Dowling said, although he added that most times it's the opposite, with him loving the interaction, and some new hires approach him to say how they relate to his journey. 5 'Life is about opportunity. It's not about challenges. … People whine too much, people complain too much. 'Aw, this was a hard day' — it's supposed to be hard!' Dowling said. James Messerschmidt If there's one thing applicants should know, it's that their boss, who will focus on leadership development as CEO emeritus in the fall, despises a poor attitude. 'Life is about opportunity. It's not about challenges. … People whine too much, people complain too much. 'Aw, this was a hard day' — it's supposed to be hard!' Dowling said. 'Get over it. Suck it up, and deal with it for God's sake.'
Irish Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gardai pay heartbreaking tribute following death of 'Little Blue Hero' Saoirse
Heartbreaking tributes have poured in following the death of a young girl from Co Mayo whose "laughter, spirit, and gentle soul touched everyone who knew her". Saoirse Duggan, from Bekan in Claremorris, passed away earlier this week following a brave battle with cancer. A notice shared by her family on states: "We are heartbroken to share the unbearable news that our precious little girl, Saoirse Duggan, passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha. "Saoirse leaves behind her beloved family and will be sadly missed by her loving parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and her large group of friends and the wider Duggan, O'Brien, Heneghan and Mahon families. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the medical and healthcare staff who looked after Saoirse with such care, kindness, and love during her illness." Saoirse's tragic death comes just a few short months after she was made an honorary garda by the Little Blue Heroes foundation - a charity operated entirely by volunteers made up of Garda members and staff. The not-for-profit charity aims to help families in need from local communities in Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness. With many young children being fascinated by police uniforms and the equipment, they organise for children to become an 'Honorary Garda' to live out their dreams. Little Blue Heroes arranged a special day for Saoirse and her family in March, with Community Garda John Monaghan presenting the youngster with her new Honorary Garda uniform. Saoirse hit the ground running, and on her first day of duty, she was in the lead car at the Claremorris St. Patrick's Day Parade with her mom, dad, and baby sister. Gardai in Mayo have tribute to the honorary garda in a poignant message shared on social media. "Our hearts are saddened to hear that one of our Little Blue Heroes in Mayo, Honorary Garda Saoirse Duggan passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha," they said in a post shared on the Mayo An Garda Siochana Facebook pace "Her laughter, spirit, and her gentle soul touched everyone who knew her. Saoirse's time with us was far too short, but her impact was immeasurable. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam." Saoirse's funeral mass was held on Wednesday at Bekan Church in Claremorris with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Founder of Hilton Head St. Patrick's Day Parade passes away
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) — The founder of the Hilton Head St. Patrick's Day Parade and Coastal Restaurants and Bars (CRAB) passed away on Friday. Tom Reilley was 78-year-old. He had seven children. He and his wife, Dianne, opened Reilley's Grill and Bar in 1982. Reilley went on to found CRAB and helped run eight restaurants in 11 locations on Hilton Head. The town celebrated its 40th anniversary of their St. Patrick's Day Parade this year. To celebrate that milestone, they gathered at Reilley's Grill and Bar when Tom's wife, Dianne was announced as the grand marshal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Reilley, Hilton Head icon and founder of St. Patty's Day Parade passes away at 78
Tom Reilley, founder of Coastal Restaurants and Bars, passed away Friday at the TidePointe retirement community on Hilton Head Island. He was 78 and died with family members by his side, his son Brendan said. His restaurant empire spans eight restaurants with 11 locations on Hilton Head Island, including The Crazy Crab, Benny's Coastal Kitchen, and The Old Oyster Factory. In March, Tom's wife Diane Reilley told The Island Packet that he had been in intensive care since mid-February. A celebration of life is planned for Tom, with the date to be determined, according to Brendan. Brendan said his father was a 'great man.' He had seven children but was 'a father figure to so many more.' Tom and wife Diane opened their first restaurant, Reilley's Grill and Bar, in 1982, the same year the the four-lane fixed span bridge was built to Hilton Head Island. His restaurant business grew with the increasing popularity of the area to both visitors and a growing population of local residents. The restauranteur also founded Hilton Head's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade that just celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. He was awarded the John Curry Tourism Award by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Veteran Island Packet columnist David Lauderdale wrote in March of this year when Tom's wife Diane was named grand marshal of the 40th annual parade, 'The parade has grown like the Reilley family, and like their business that today is known as Coastal Restaurants and Bars. With various investors and partners, the group now has 11 restaurants, including the two Crazy Crab locations, Benny's Coastal Kitchen, the Old Oyster Factory, and Fish Camp locations on Hilton Head and in the town of Port Royal outside of Beaufort.' Lauderdale continued in his March column about the couple, 'Diane and Tom came from Rhode Island in 1977, with no plans to stay on Hilton Head, a place with a swing-span bridge and one traffic light. They weren't yet married, and they had no game plan. But it was February and they were glad to get away from the cold. They stayed with Tom's late sister Mary Rankin and her husband Bill, then a golf pro.' 'They got married by a justice of the peace in Charleston, and later celebrated it with a ceremony at Holy Family Catholic Church. They bought their own place down the street from Mary in the Squiresgate neighborhood, and Tom bought a vintage red Mustang convertible, which became his pride and joy.' 'He treated everyone he met like one of his own,' Brendan wrote in a text message Friday. 'He cared about the community, his friends and his family. He will be missed dearly.'
