The Emergency Medal

This is a bad photo of the medal that one of my sons, Jimmy mentioned in the Chatterbox (below right). It was awarded to my Father, Michael Leonard (known to family and friends as Mick) for his service with the ARP from 1939 at the outbreak of WWII until 1946. My Dad would have been very proud to see his medal being worn by one of his Grandsons in New York on the St Patrick's Day Parade.

The front of the medal depicts Eire holding a sword pointed downwards and an Irish wolfhound on a leash. The symbolism there is obvious. The words around the edge of the medal are Ré na Práinne, which in English is literally Emergency Period. The bar across the top says National Service in Irish and the two bars across the ribbon show that he served for the entire period of the war. He was one of the first rescuers to arrive at the scene of the North Strand bombing at 1.30am on May 30th 1941. 

Comments on Posts, etc

Previously if you wanted to leave a comment on any post you were asked to log in before you could leave any comments. This was a glitch that developed, and I've now fixed it.

So if anyone would like to comment on any post or on anything at all, please feel free to do so. Just click on the word "Comment" below any post and you can leave any comments or messages, anonomously if you wish. (But I'd be nice for me to know who you are:-)

You can also use the Chatbox at the right to leave comments or messages. Just enter your name (or any name) and after writing your message click on where it says "Go". No need to leave an email address or anything. And you can add smilies to your message by clicking on Smilies, at the bottom of the chatterbox.

Please also click on the Guestmap button below the Chatterbox. This will open a map and you can place a pin in the map to show where you are. You can leave a message too if you like.

If you'd like to be automatically notified of any updates I make to this Blog, please enter your email address in the box provided. Your email address will never be used for any other purpose than to notify you of updates and it's automatic so I don't even need to see your address.

That's all I can think of for now. Have a look at some of the links to the right of the pictures and click on any that you'd like to have a look at.

Most of all, enjoy the Blog... there's a lot more coming... so drop back often.

Jim

New York, St Patrick's Day 2006

Jimmy (right) with an Ambulance colleague, Stephen, outside their hotel on 7th Ave shortly before taking part in the New York St Patrick's Day Parade. 

Jimmy in New York for the St Patrick's Day Parade

Jimmy (wearing Ambulance dress uniform) in the lobby of his hotel in NY early in the morning as he was heading to St Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Ave and then to take part in the St Patrick's Day Parade.

Trip to New York

Jimmy in New York to take part in the St Patrick's Day Parade.

Here he is in the middle, between Dale and Elizabeth of O4 X-Ray 2 from Station 11, Battalion 4 of Pier 36 on the Lower East Side. He accompanied them on calls. 

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Happy Birthday Jimmy.

Have a great one!

And giz that oul bike when you're finished with it.

Da. 

The Celtic Tigers

The three sisters having a great time at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Balbriggan.

From Left: Marie, Ellen, Chris.


(Clicking on any pic opens it in full size)

Marie arrested in Balbriggan!

This is my sister Marie being 'taken' at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Balbriggan today. Bail was denied so she'll have to stay there now!

The Brothers

From Left: Paul, Tony and me. 

Happy Birthday Martin!

This is Martin again. Today is his birthday, I better not say which one, but it has a 0 in it :-)

Have a great one Martin.

Da.

 

Gardiner Street Webcam

Why not drop in and have a look at the Gardiner Street webcam in Dublin? And while there do read the Guestbook, it's a friendly community in itself. Click on the thumbnail to be taken to the site. I think you'll like it.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly. And listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, andwhatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Leaving for NY

Here's Martin and Kevin again, and that's Sinead my Granddaughter seeing them off. Hasn't Sinead got a lovely smile? :-) 

Here's Kevin looking like an Eskimo in a very cold New York. February 2006 

I think I've decided.

Hmmm.... yep I think I have decided to make this a sort of photo blog. I'll upload photos from time to time. Photos of my family and of my city will be mainly uploaded.

Martin and Kevin in New York

This is Martin and Kevin (my son and grandson) while on a trip to New York in February 2006

Thursday Morning 1.04am 1st March 2006

Hello to any visitors,

I've only just started this now and at the mo I haven't an idea of what I'm going to do with it. But stick with me, something will come up.