The Irish BDE leads mass, and the annual ST Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC.  This regiment, mostly Irish, was formed during the Civil War, and has participated in multiple engagements throughout the US including Gettysburg, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.  Since then, the unit activated and served in WWI, WWII, Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and even responded to the Trade Center at 9/11.   Father Duffy, featured below, was the unit chaplain and administered mass and last rights to soldiers during battle.  You may recognize a statue of him in Times Square, named in his honor (Duffy Square). Another prominent member of the Irish BDE was William Corby who later became the first president of Notre Dame University.