New York Guard Marches in 2023 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Story and photos by WO1 Ed Shevlin- New York Guard Public Affairs

Over forty service members of the New York Guard 88^th and 56^th Area Commands (AC) marched in the 262nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade down New York City’s Fifth Avenue on March 17, 2023.

The New York Guard is the state’s volunteer defense force that augments and supports the New York National Guard, with the 88^th AC tracing its lineage back to the 88th New York Volunteer Infantry, which fought in the Civil War.

LTC Christopher St Victor, Commanding Officer of the 88th, said the unit marches in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to honor its heritage and to show support for the Irish community.

“The 88th AC marches in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in recognition of our lineage which dates back to the Civil War when this unit was known as the 88th New York Volunteer Infantry, the 2nd Regiment of the Irish Brigade,” St Victor said.

The first New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off on March 17th, 1762, when Irish Catholic Soldiers serving in the British Army, marched in formation through the streets of lower Manhattan.

The parade has carried on all those years and is now attended by two million people with 150,000 marchers, vastly different from its humble beginnings.

The New York Guard, consisting of soldiers from the 88th and 56th Area Commands, marched in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17, 2023. The parade is advertised as the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world.

Following the relaxation of COVID-19 protocols, this year’s parade saw a return to its former glory with the reintroduction of marching units from across the United States and abroad.

SPC Chuck Garelick of 88th AC HQ shared his feelings on the rejuvenated parade, “It was great to see so many spectators along the parade route once again, they were all so happy and encouraging. I have marched in many St Patrick’s Day parades, and I have to say this one was special.”

From the moment the 88th AC stepped off from their formation area on West 46th St and onto 5th Avenue, the crowds signaled their appreciation of the unit with cheers and clapping which rolled like a wave up the parade route as the 88th proceeded all the way to 79th St.

Passing St Patrick’s Cathedral on their way up the avenue, the unit turned Eyes Right in a salute to the patron Saint of New York City and Ireland. The gesture was reciprocated by John Cardinal Dolan, who raised his hand in a blessing of the troops.

Continuing up the parade route, the 88th reached the Grand Marshall’s Reviewing Stand at 64th St and turned Eyes Left. The dignitaries responded with salutes of their own, combined with cheers and gestures of approval.