New York City Announces
Grand Marshal for its
253rd St Patrick's Parade
The
St Patrick's Day Parade Committee is pleased to
announce the selection of the 2014 Grand Marshal
of New York City St Patrick's Day Parade. It
will be
Jack Ahern,
Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the International Union of
Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 30.
John (Jack) Ahern will have the honor of leading
the 253nd consecutive New York City
St Patrick's Day; the world's oldest and largest
civic parade that celebrates "The Faith of
Ireland, Irish
heritage and Culture Parade
which will be held on Monday, March 17th,
2014.
Jack has been at the forefront in urging
Congress pass affordable health care ,
Immigration reform, the Employee Free Choice Act
and also helped urged Congress pass the 9/11
health monitoring and compensation plan.
John Dunleavy, Chairman of the Parade, said
"Jack Ahern is an outstanding Irish American who
has devoted a huge amount of his energy and
charisma contributing to the legacy of the Irish
in this great country. We are delighted he
accepted the honor to lead us on March 17th and
we look forward to a wonderful day celebrating
our Irish heritage with Jack Ahern at the helm.
We are delighted Jack has been selected as the
2014 Grand Marshal and thank him for his support
of labor and immigration reform" said John
Dunleavy.
Jack Ahern has been recognized by many
organizations in recognition of his live work
and support of Irish causes; he was the Grand
Marshal of the Rockaway St. Patrick's Day Parade
in 2000 and again 2013; the Emerald Isle
Immigration Association - board member and
honoree; the Irish Echo in their Labor 50
edition, and Irishman of the Year at the Great
Irish Fair in Coney Island.
The New York City St Patrick's Parade marched
for the first time in 1762, fourteen years
before the Declaration of Independence was
signed in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. The
Parade is regarded as the most popular of the
all the Parades in New York City, and
honors Saint Patrick - the patron Saint of the
Archdiocese of New York and Ireland.
The New York Parade consists only of marchers
and each year hosts some 250,000 marchers and
two million spectators. The Parade has many
outstanding marching bands, bagpipers in
marching formations, high-school and college
bands from throughout the United States and from
all over the world.
The occasion is televised live to millions of
households nationwide for four hours by host
station WNBC Channel Four. The broadcast is
webcast live via the internet through the
Parade's web site at
NYCStPatricksParade.Org
and WNBC Channel Four web site at
www.wnbc.com
.