Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division and of the Daughters of Erin Division. On behalf of the newly elected AOH State Officers (Brother Brian Kiernan, VP, Brother Bob Fay, Secretary and Brother Vince Eikmeier, Treasurer). I sincerely wish to thank all of you for participation in making last week’s AOH/LAOH State Convention one that we will soon not forget! From discussion at least 18 months ago right up to the Major Degree on Sunday, everything happened from my perspective Beyond Expectations………Thank You!
To all of you throughout Virginia who participated in the Bi annual state convention last weekend in Leesburg, a big Thank You as well……here are just some of the highlights…..
33 played golf at Lansdowne Golf Club on Friday morning, raising $750 for our Military Chaplains. The military helmet found its way to the hospitality suites later that weekend which raised contributions to over $1,000!….
O’Faolain’s Pub in Sterling became like a “spirited pub on a Friday night in Kilkenny, Ireland” for approximately 75 Hibernians and their guests. Great food and music set the stage for Irish fraternalism and a lot of fun!….
Saturday morning brought 80 AOH and LAOH together for a joint session followed by State Officer elections and Good of the Order; lunch at the local pubs, a Civil War tour, LAOH Tea for 30, formal Mass followed by AOH and LAOH Officer Installation (as well as the Installation of our new State Chaplain, Fr. Joseph Farrell), with the evening topped off with a fantastic banquet for 100 guests and speakers….
The weekend activities ended on Sunday with a Major Degree led by the Brian Boru Team of Virginia hosting 14 Hibernian Brothers….
Truly a weekend and convention not soon to be forgotten….
One of the privileges I have at this time is to introduce our State Slogan for the upcoming 2 years. I ask that you embrace “Be Informed: Be Proud: Be Committed” as our go forward message. I encourage all Hibernians to take an proactive interest in what is currently going on in Ireland (as well as in the North of Ireland) – be an informed Hibernian. Further, be proud of our heritage – show your pride as often as possible! Finally, Be Committed – we have some difficult challenges as well as opportunities confronted all of us in the upcoming months and years. Your voice and actions could very well shape things to come. Do not underestimate the impact you can make….
Please make a point to come by one of your Division meetings over the next couple of months so that I or one of our newly elected officers can personally thank you for your support.
Slainte’
Jay McCarthy
VA AOH State President
703 477-5934
Brian Kiernan, VA AOH State VP
Bob Fay, VA AOH State Secretary
Vince Eikmeier, VA AOH State Treasurer
