By Niall O’Dowd

To those we lost, especially Frank Carvill, (1953-2004) a sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard who was killed in Sadr City Baghdad on Friday June 4, 2004.

Frank was one of the great activists in his community, a founder member of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement and the Treasurer of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

At age 51 he went to war. He didn’t have too, but he considered it his patriotic duty. At a time when most men his age were seeking the quiet places and contemplating retirement, Frank was in the center of the action, leading young men into battle in Baghdad. He died tragically, while just a few days away from going home.

We in the community, who knew him and loved him, will never forget him. Thousands attended his funeral and wake. As lawyer Brian O’Dwyer stated at his wake “He was a cherished member of a community that stretches from Ireland to its children all over the world.”

Thanks to all the brave Irish American soldiers who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and who held up the great tradition of Irish bravery and dedication in those two wars. Whatever you think of the war in Iraq and I am an opponent, you cannot argue with the bravery of the men and women sent to fight it.

On a brighter note, thanks to Colonel James Hickey commander of the 1st brigade of the 4th Infantry Division who led the operation that captured Saddam Hussein, one of the greatest butchers of this or any other century. At around 6.p.m on a Saturday in late November Hickey led 600 men on a search of two farmhouses in a village just nine miles southeast of Tikkrit, Hussein’s ancestral homeland. The rest is history. Hickey called his mother, Sligo native Ann Marie Hickey, who thought the early morning phone call meant bad news. The Hickey’s Irish Gift Shop has since been transformed in part into a memento to their son and his work in capturing Saddam.

Another warrior we give thanks to is Jessica Lynch, whose Irish roots trace back to County Derry and who underwent an incredible ordeal after being captured during the invasion of Iraq.” I Am a Soldier Too” her story captured her bravery and her never say die spirit.

There are two cops I want to give thanks to. The first is Ray Kelly, America’s finest police chief, who has kept New York safe since 9/11. Crime is at its lowest level in two decades and Kelly has also put counter terrorism at the top of his list and brought about major advances in security as a result.

Thanks too to Kathleen O’Toole, Boston’s top cop and the first female to ever hold that job – an incredible achievement. O’Toole labored long and hard as a member of the Patten Commission charged with reforming Northern Ireland’s police force, the dreaded RUC. She did a great job there, as she will do with Boston.

Staying in Boston, thanks too to Tom Brady, the most exciting quarterback since Joe Montana who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl this year.

On the journalism front, thanks to Jimmy Breslin who has finally retired from day to day column writing. Whatever you thought of his opinions, there was no finer column writer in America than Breslin. If you get a chance call up “Leaves of Pain” his examination of the Irish Famine on the internet. It is as powerful a piece of writing as you can find.

Thanks too to Tim Russert, the moderator of “Meet the Press” who was one of the few sane voices among journalists during the recent presidential elections. Folks like Bill O’Reilly Sean Hannity and Michael Moore might persist in taking every cheap shot in the book but Russert will have no part of that.

In the local community thanks to Father Colm Campbell, Mattie Forde and the hardworking committee in Queens who have come up with an Irish Center that is already paid for, thanks to generous anonymous donors. I look forward to attending the opening.

Thanks to attorney Frank Durkan for being – well Frank Durkan, the leading civil rights lawyer and advocate for human rights in this town. Frank won’t die happy until Mayo win the All Ireland football title, so we can expect to have him around for another century or two.

Finally to you, the readers and the advertisers, who keep me writing, for good or ill, year after year — thanks for your help and support and Happy Thanksgiving to all.