Warners resident Adam Bojarski to lead New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Adam Bojarski commands the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, which has led the parade since 1851

New York (03/13/2024) — When the world's largest St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off in New York City on Saturday, March 16, Warners' resident Adam Bojarski will be leading the way.

Bojarski, a lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard, is the commander of the Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, which has led the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade since 1851.

As the commander of the 800-Soldier battalion--known as the "Fighting 69th" since the Civil War-Bojarski will march in front of his Soldiers.

It is estimated that about two million people view the parade.

The unit, organized in 1849 as a New York State militia regiment for Irish immigrants, began marching at the head of the Irish parade to discourage anti-immigrant gangs from attacking the paraders.

This will mark the 173rd time the 69th Infantry has led the parade.

"St. Patrick's Day is integral to the history of the 69th Infantry Regiment," Bojarski said.

"It is with tremendous pride that we will continue this time honored and unbroken tradition this year."

This year's event is also important because it marks the battalion's return from a deployment in 2003, Bojarski said.

In 2023, the bulk of the regiments Soldiers were deployed in the Horn of Africa, providing security for United States military outposts in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia.

That year the battalion's rear detachment of 150 marched in the New York City Parade, while the Soldiers stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, conducted their own parade there.

The battalion's 800 Soldiers will be joined during the parade by the members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band and New York National Guard leaders.

The 69th is comprised of six companies stationed in Manhattan, Farmingdale, and Cortland Manor.

"When we march this year, we honor all those members of the regiment who have come before us and served our nation, from the Civil War through World War I and World War II, to the modern conflicts of today," Bojarski said.

Bojarski assumed command of the 69th Infantry in 2023 follow its return from deployment.

Bojarski began his career at the United States Military Academy and commissioned as an infantry officer in the active Army before joining the New York National Guard.

He served as a platoon leader, company executive officer, battalion staff officer, and infantry company commander. He also deployed to Iraq for 15 months with the 10th Mountain Division.

Bojarski served in the New York Army National Guard's 10th Mountain Division Main Command Post-Operational Detachment as a liaison officer, was a company commander in its 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and with its 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment as an operations officer. He deployed twice with the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine (JMTG-U) - a National Guard-executed mission to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, supposedly earned the nickname "Fighting 69th" from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. He is said to have referred to the Irish-American unit as "that fighting 69th regiment" following the battle of Fredericksburg in 1863.

The unit's Soldiers have distinguished themselves in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and, since Sept. 11, 2001, deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Because of the regiment's roots in Irish-American history, St. Patrick's Day is also the 1st Battalion, 69th's "Unit Day," during which the battalion's Soldiers are recognized for their accomplishments.

Traditions of the 69th and the St. Patrick's Day parade include:

- Soldiers place a sprig of boxwood on their uniform because members of the Irish brigade put boxwood springs in their hat bands at the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, to mark their Irish heritage.

- Officers of the 69th carry a fighting stick made of blackthorn wood imported from Ireland because they are considered the mark of an Irish leader and gentleman.

-The battalion's officer join the commander in the morning for a toast with Irish whiskey prior to the parade.

- Soldiers are accompanied on their parade march by two Irish Wolfhounds, the official mascot of the 69th Infantry. The dogs represent the regimental motto, "gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked".

- The battalion commander carries the "Kilmer Crucifix," the religious icon once worn by poet Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action serving in the 69th in World War I.

- Before the parade, the regiment attends a special Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral to honor the regiment's fallen and honor its Irish heritage.

--When the head of the parade committee asks the commander if the battalion is ready to go, he respond's "The 69th Is Always Ready".

- The city of New York provides a dedicated subway train to transport the Soldiers back down to the East Village for their unit day activities.

- When the Soldiers return from the parade and begin their unit day ceremonies, they are cheered by the battalion's officers, who render honors and pay tribute to the enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.

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