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Vince is one of the more prominent members of Division 1 Ancient Order of Hibernians whose headquarters are on Kuser Road in Hamilton. For years, he has been the emcee and announcer of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The popular son of Erin is a fierce defender of the Irish heritage.
I am reminded of how my father, a native of Stoke-on-Trent in England felt about the British injustices in Ireland. His and his family's social situation was in many ways equal; at least in the sense of knowing poverty and class distinctions. My grandfather and great grandfather were brought up in orphanages, and ultimately worked as coal miners. On those rare occasions when we would discuss his past, Pop Glover compared his grandparents life with that of the suppressed people of Ireland: sheer and hopeless poverty. Nowhere in the world was the phrase "the 'haves' and the 'have nots' " more relevant than in the British Isles.
It's that time of year again! This Saturday, everyone will be Irish as the annual St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off from the front steps of St. Anthony's Church on So. Olden Avenue. In an exercise of bad timing, I will not be attending the parade, as I will be doing an Irish-oriented music program from 1 to 3 PM at Kuser Mansion. Perhaps there will be a few locals who are not too comfortable standing in the cold March winds waiting for the parade to begin.
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