Posted by: Jim Costello
Spain Participated in the N.Y.C. St. Patrick's Day - 03/21/10 11:05 AM
On Wednesday, March 17, 2010, the Reales Tercios de Espania participated in the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade. I had the honor to march with the Spanish.
For over 50 years, either I worked the parade as a police officer, marched in the parade or was a spectator. During the last few years I saw a group of bag pipers from Asturias in the parade. This year, I wanted to try to march with the Spanish bag pipers. So on St. Patrick's Day, I put on my green tie, bright yellow shirt, gray pants, blue blazer and took my Irish passport (citizen of the USA and Ireland) and my small flag of Spain and went to the parade. I could have marched with the NYPD or several other American or Irish organizations. When I arrived at the beginning of the parade where the groups gather in preparation to march there were no bag pipers from Spain. Instead I found a group of about 60 men in a blue military type of uniform. I approached the person in charge and asked permission to march with them. He smiled, shook my hand and gave me permission to march with them. The parade committee put the Spanish group before the NYC Fire Department.
When the Reales Tercios de Espania started to march onto Fifth Avenue at 44th Street, the spectators gave us lots and lots of applause, a very warm welcome to the Spanish. As we started to march up Fifth Avenue, the New Yorkers, the Irish and those who are Irish for the day continued to the Spanish group lots of applause and were waving to us.
During the first ten blocks, I noticed the Spaniards were rigid and looking straigh ahead. Then with all the enthusiasm of the spectators, the Spanish started to relax, wave back and gave the thumbs-up sign to the people. This continued till the end of the parade at Fifth Avenue and 88th Street.
It made me proud to be a New Yorker. St. Patrick's Day is a unique holiday in New York City. Almost everyone is wearing green. I will even bet that Steve Robinson worn green on March 17th. It was a great day for the Irish, Spanish and New Yorkers. Thanks
For over 50 years, either I worked the parade as a police officer, marched in the parade or was a spectator. During the last few years I saw a group of bag pipers from Asturias in the parade. This year, I wanted to try to march with the Spanish bag pipers. So on St. Patrick's Day, I put on my green tie, bright yellow shirt, gray pants, blue blazer and took my Irish passport (citizen of the USA and Ireland) and my small flag of Spain and went to the parade. I could have marched with the NYPD or several other American or Irish organizations. When I arrived at the beginning of the parade where the groups gather in preparation to march there were no bag pipers from Spain. Instead I found a group of about 60 men in a blue military type of uniform. I approached the person in charge and asked permission to march with them. He smiled, shook my hand and gave me permission to march with them. The parade committee put the Spanish group before the NYC Fire Department.
When the Reales Tercios de Espania started to march onto Fifth Avenue at 44th Street, the spectators gave us lots and lots of applause, a very warm welcome to the Spanish. As we started to march up Fifth Avenue, the New Yorkers, the Irish and those who are Irish for the day continued to the Spanish group lots of applause and were waving to us.
During the first ten blocks, I noticed the Spaniards were rigid and looking straigh ahead. Then with all the enthusiasm of the spectators, the Spanish started to relax, wave back and gave the thumbs-up sign to the people. This continued till the end of the parade at Fifth Avenue and 88th Street.
It made me proud to be a New Yorker. St. Patrick's Day is a unique holiday in New York City. Almost everyone is wearing green. I will even bet that Steve Robinson worn green on March 17th. It was a great day for the Irish, Spanish and New Yorkers. Thanks
