Ray Kelly Installed As New York's Grand Marshal

The Honorable Raymond W. Kelly, Police Commissioner of the City of New York, was installed as the Grand Marshal of the 249th annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade at ceremonies held at the New York Athletic Club last Wednesday.

Parade Chairman John Dunleavy also announced that the 249th St. Patrick's Day Parade would be dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010.

Several well known dignitaries were on hand for the installation ceremonies and they came in support of the Parade, Ray Kelly and his Aides.

These included Michael Gibbons, the 2009 Grand Marshal; His Eminence Cardinal Edward Egan; Congressman Peter King; the Hon. Mario Biaggi; the Hon. Niall Burgess, Counsel General of Ireland; Tommy Smyth, the 2008 Grand Marshal; Tom O'Brien of President of NBC New York; Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation John Dougherty; Dr John Lahey President of Quinnipiac University, Rev George Reilly Vice-President Villanova University, and Commissioner of Public Records Brian Anderson The Parade Chairman, John Dunleavy, enthusiastically praised last year's Grand Marshal saying, "I would like to thank Michael J. Gibbons, the outgoing Grand Marshal, for making the 248th New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade an outstanding success.

"We especially thank Michael for the wonderful work he did on the Parade's behalf as last years' Grand Marshal and for all the support he has provided our Annual Parade in the media and public life over the years."

"I want to thank you, the Delegates and Members of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, for affording me the opportunity to serve as Chairman of this great Parade."

Of Kelly, Dunleavy said, "I would like to congratulate our Grand Marshal, Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and all of the Aides; your selection this evening is acknowledgement for your years of unselfish, dedicated and distinguished service to the community and for outstanding dedication and contribution to Irish Faith, Culture and Heritage.

The 14 Aides to the Grand Marshal of the 249th NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade are: James Michael Barnes representing the Knights of St. Patrick; Matthew Devine representing New York County; John W. Hyland representing The Bronx; Catherine McCarthy of Queens; Brigid Mitchell representing King County; Catherine (Kathleen) Courtney representing Westchester County; Hon. Michael J. Brennan representing Richmond County; Michael Byrne representing Nassau County; Thomas J. Jordan, Jr., representing Suffolk County; Rose Veronica Moroney representing Rockland County; Edmund T. Burke representing Orange County; Malachy McAllister representing the United Irish Counties; Terrance McAdams is the Aide-at-Large; and Bernard "Buddy" Sullivan represents the Grand Council.

The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Fifth Avenue onWednesday, March 17th.