Division 8 Honors Deceased Members, US Veterans and Long Time Members
By Bill Sullivan
On Saturday June 1, 2019 Division 8 AOH and LAOH members, their families and friends gathered for their Annual Memorial Service to those who died during their Great Hunger in Ireland from 1845 – 1850 at the An Gorta Mor Memorial in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.
During this year’s Commemoration, Division 8 presented AOH Veterans Pins to those members of Division 8 AOH who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as the 50-year AOH Membership Pins to those who have been members of the AOH for 50 years.
Among those members who received 50 Year AOH Member pins were: Robert Bateman of New York, Robert Burke of Lawrence, Attorney Robert Kelley of Andover, William Ryan of Haverhill and George Thomas of Danville, NH.
The guest speaker was Past AOH National, State, County and Division Historian Bob Bateman. Following Mr. Bateman’s address, Division 8’s Veterans Affairs Chairman, John Cuddy, presented the AOH Veteran’s Pins and newly elected AOH Massachusetts State President Jack Lahey presented the 50-year AOH Membership Pins.
Among the US Veterans honored were Daniel L. Cheetham, Donald R. Donahue, Richard Garvey, John J. Hannon, Paul J. Joyce, Paul Lunt, James J. Maloney, James P. Moran, Michael J. Ryan, Philip Retelle and George J. Thomas. Carol Calderone, Division 8 LAOH Vice President, presented Rita Jensen with her LAOIH Veterans Pin.
Memorial prayers in Gaelic were given by Anne Collins, and the Rev John Delaney, VF, lead the Memorial Service for the deceased.
A Reception immediately followed the service adjacent to the Memorial on the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
