Sean MacBride Division members are honored

Photo

Special to The Vindicator

CONGRATULATIONS: After they received a prestigious Commodore John Barry Medal at a meeting of the Sean MacBride Dividion, Ancient Order of Hibernians, from left, Jay Bice and Jerry Donohoe, congratulate each other.

Jay Bice and Jerry Donohoe, two members of the Sean MacBride Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Trumbull County, were singled out for recognition at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Each received a prestigious Commodore John Barry Medal, which is presented annually to members who display outstanding academic, cultural and civic achievement.

Bice is the outgoing division president, a position he held for two years after being elected as vice president.

A charter member of the organization, Donohoe has been its historian since the division was founded, and for the past several years has also served as marshall. He will become the division’s vice president in 2009.

Historical facts

The award is named for Commodore Barry, who is known as the “Father of the American Navy.” He sailed out of Wexford, Ireland, and came to the United States, where he helped form the naval force that fought the British during the Revolutionary War.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is an Irish-Catholic men’s organization, founded in 1836 in New York. Its members are located all across the United States and Canada.

The Trumbull County division was established in 1997 and named for Sean MacBride, a founder of Amnesty International and an Irish historian.

For additional information on the AOH, contact Bice at (330) 372-1544.