LETTERS

Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Mar. 19-25, 2015

Posted

Patriotic pride

To the Editor:

I had the pleasure of seeing the Broadway play “On the Town” at the Lyric Theatre recently. It was wonderful, based on the movie of the same name and set in the 1940s. 

But the best part came when the lights were dimmed and the audience settled down, waiting for the play to begin. As soon as the theater was dark, a spotlight was shown on the center curtain on which an American flag was displayed — very appropriate for this play. At this point, the orchestra started playing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and within a minute, 99 percent of the audience was on their feet, singing with gusto and pride. It was such an emotional time.

I saw many, including myself, wiping tears from their eyes. It was such an awesome experience to see such patriotism and pride in our wonderful country!

It’s nice to know we still have these wonderful feelings about the good old U. S.A.

 Ann Orlic, Lynbrook

Petitioning for the USS Patrick Gallagher

To the Editor:

This St. Patrick’s Day, a small town in the west of Ireland remembered and paid tribute to another Patrick — Patrick Gallagher.

Gallagher, known as “Bob,” was the second-oldest of nine children growing up in County Mayo, Ireland. When he was 18, Gallagher left home and emigrated to live with his aunt and uncle, May and Bobby Burns, in Lynbrook. May Burns was a well-known and accomplished dressmaker and doll maker in the Lynbrook area and had her own shop for many years. She and her husband were frequent travelers to Ireland.

In 1963, at 19 years old, Gallagher worked during the day and attended college at night. He also found the time to campaign for Sen. Bobby Kennedy.

In 1966 Patrick enlisted in the U.S. Marines, with the support of his family back in Ireland. Upon completing his training he returned to Ireland for three weeks, he told his family that he was going to California for 12 months of additional training. What Patrick did not tell them was that, in reality, he had received orders to be deployed to Vietnam.

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