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Erin Go Braugh: The Bluegrass Irish Society’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17^th, 2007

By Jeff “Mario” Smith, Guerilla Reporter

LEFTington, KY

Erin Go Braugh and all that, right? It is Saint Patrick’s Day 2007, and with that comes the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Task Force Omega of Kentucky float once again honored the 24 Irish Veterans who were killed in action (KIA) in the Vietnam War fighting beside our American military. In addition, we dedicated our parade entry this year to my son, who is fighting in Afghanistan, and three soldiers who led our parade entry last year and are fighting in Iraq with the 82^nd Airborne as this article is being written.

We love our military sons and daughters who go into harms way on our behalf and we hold them in high esteem, all of them. Parading down Main Street, as we do every year, we stopped the parade to dismount from our iron horses and give a salute to the Fayette County Vietnam Memorial and the Fayette County Policeman’s Memorial with eternal flame. It is there that the POW MIA Flag flies 24/365 and it is there that we choose to offer our respect. We cannot pass that point without offering a salute. The crowd offered us a cheer after we completed this mission of respect and that always seems to cause a chill down the spine. I know I saw a tear in the eye of Vietnam Veteran Infantry Sergeant Danny “Greasy” Belcher, State Director of Task Force Omega of KY.

The lead vehicle for our group was a Ford Explorer with a 3 x 5 POW MIA flag and a 3 x 5 American flag over the back windows, and a huge four foot by four foot picture of our three 82^nd Airborne Paratroopers in Iraq on the front bumper. When the local downtown Kinko’s found out why we wanted the picture enlarged, they offered to do it for free. Now, that makes me proud to call those folks my countrymen.

Next in our caravan was the Task Force Omega of Kentucky Float which is a makeshift POW compound and guard shack complete with enemy flags painted on it. For this parade, Chris and Moe Pfeffer modify the float to include shamrocks with the names of all 24 Irish who were killed in Vietnam. We must never forget.

Following the TFO float was about 20 motorcycles, many decorated for the occasion, and all flying flags. I rode my son’s 2001 Fat Boy on point since he could not be here to ride it himself. That meant I had to point out all the horse droppings to the riders behind me, being careful not to ride too close to the TFO float or the offerings from the horses would sneak up on me. We don’t want that now do we?

Afterward, we were invited to the Bopster’s MC Clubhouse for corned beef and cabbage prepared by Chef Dave “Wolfman” Olsen, and other feast items. The camaraderie was great as always and Bopster’s President Billy “Screamin’ Eagle” Adam’s grandson had a birthday to boot. Billy had his new bicycle brought in and that topped off a fine day seeing the eyes of a young child light up when receiving that first bike as a birthday present. What a bonus!

It is the better part of a day dedicated to the cause of calling attention to our POW MIA and honoring the fallen Irish in Vietnam as well as honoring our troops who serve in harms way in this latest war against evil. But that is small sacrifice compared to the sacrifice others have made, and make, on our behalf. That is why we participate in the Bluegrass Irish Society’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade each and every year. Nor rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail, will keep us from our appointed mission.

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