In the New York area, over 20 percent of us can trace some of our roots back to Ireland. Most people know that one of the most famous Americans of Irish descent was John F. Kennedy, our 35th president.

 

By Christopher Parker

 

In the New York area, over 20 percent of us can trace some of our roots back to Ireland. Most people know that one of the most famous Americans of Irish descent was John F. Kennedy, our 35th president.

 

He visited Ireland four times as a university student and young journalist.   He kept going back because he was interested in his heritage. But the most important of his trips to Ireland was the time he went during his presidency. He went, as usual, to the hometown of his great-grandfather, where his aunt Mary and cousins still lived, and gave some very influential speeches.

 

This year, the town of New Ross held a celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of JFK’s visit. Hundreds of people from around the world came to this celebration, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. Not only did I visit it, but I also got to participate in it.

 

I am a Boy Scout, and a member of Rye Troop 2. Our troop takes part in a variety of activities that often get reported in this newspaper. I feel that I’m not only a Rye Boy Scout, but also an American Boy Scout, and a representative of my town and country. The Boy Scout Organization worldwide also has individual groups that focus on special activities, one of which is the Sea Scouts. Ireland is an island, full of streams and canals. The whole population loves boating; they sail, many own kayaks, and they love to be around water during their free time. So, Sea Scouts is a very fitting organization for them.

 

A few weeks before the New Ross anniversary, I got in touch with one of the leaders of the New Ross Sea Scouts. We both thought it would be an interesting experience for all if I met their troop, gave a small talk about Rye Troop 2, and answered their questions.

 

When I met them, they were enthusiastic. A lot of them had never met an American before. They had a lot of questions: what foods U.S teen-agers like, what bands we listen to, how hard our homework is, and things like that. I helped them design and make red, white, and blue panels, to be carried by a group of local Scouts, making a big American flag.

 

I represented Rye in the commemorative Irish parade, which was held in the streets of New Ross in honor of the 1963 visit. Our uniforms were completely different colors, and I stuck out like a sore thumb! But kids are kids … in Ireland, too, and I felt very welcome there.

 

Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts aren’t exactly the same, but marching in the parade gave me a firsthand look at what their community is like. I think that traveling is great because you experience what other people are like in other cultures.

 

I hope to return to Ireland soon, maybe with my whole troop next time.

 

The author, 13, is a student at Resurrection Grammar School.