A New Tradition Begins in our Challenging and Changing World!
For over a half century, members of the Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division 14 AOH in Watertown, Massachusetts have been marching in Watertown’s Annual Memorial Day Parade to honor those who have gone before them. Prior to the parade, members gather at the Cottage Street Cemetery in Watertown to place a wreath near the graves of the many Irish immigrants who are buried there.
However, this year with Covid 19 epidemic and social distancing rules in effect throughout Massachusetts, these annual Memorial Day traditions were not to be. Realizing the needs in their community and wanting to honor and remember those that have served our country and have gone on to their eternal rest, Division 14 in collaboration with the Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry set up a safe, no contact food drop – off station in their Division home’s parking lot from 8 am to 3 pm on Memorial Day. As one might expect, the members of the Division and community overwhelmingly supported this endeavor with boxes and carloads of food donations. Without a doubt, it was one of the largest food drives, Division 14 and the Watertown Collaborative Food Pantry had ever seen!
Congratulations to the officers and members of Division 14 in Watertown, Massachusetts for their creative efforts in establishing a new way to honor the memory of those who came before them, while at the same time contributing financially and with their time and talents to their community in the true spirit of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. It is this exemplary effort and spirit by the members of the Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division in Watertown, that make us all proud to be members of the oldest, largest, and greatest Irish Catholic organization in the United States, the AOH!
