Loretta Glucksman Brennan and Don Keough among those honored by Presidential Distinguished Service Awards

Congratulations to these Irish-American, all of whom have worked so hard to preserve, foster and help Irish History in the US, along with giving financial aid to Ireland by various means. For Paulpaulpaul, the US gave the Irish born ancestors the means to have their offspring achieve what these very successful Irish-Americans did. Also when an Irish man or woman becomes a US citizen he or she is an American. It is up to that individual to determine whether or not they want to acknowledge their country of origin.

Not taking anything away from the successful nominees, and my best wishes to them, well deserved. I would have considered these Presidential awards invaluably more meaningful if the recipients were Irish-born and bred. My initial impression of this Presidential Award concept was that it only applied to Irish-born people. Forgive my disillusionment, but there are many worthy Irish natives in the United States that have done their country of birth much service. Give Irish-American contenders a Certificate of Irish Heritage. And Irish-born winners, the boots on the ground, as it were, would be properly rewarded on a splendid night in Dublin-A just reward for them, their family and parish.

I'm happy for these Irish Americans. IC has been a great forum for learning about Irish Americans who have a special connection to Ireland. I love that about this site!

A member of New York University's Ireland House, I've seen Mrs. Glucksman on a few occasions. Ireland House does a lot of good in its programs educating the Irish community and all others about all things Irish. I am very happy for her.