Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section here
Irish soldiers serving in Afghanistan are to postpone their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations until next weekend.
The Queen's Royal Hussars, who are based in Helmand province, will be performing front-line duties on March 17, so they plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day next weekend. The Afghan festivities will be more low key as a strict no-alcohol policy is enforced.
Captain Justin Kennedy-Lunde (29) from Waterford said, "St Patrick's Day is something I always look forward to at home.
"I would normally spend my day at the local parade and having a good time with friends and family,” he told the Press Association.
Members of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, wear green jumpers and berets to reflect their historic ties to Ireland. Currently based in the Helmand province, they operate armoured vehicles as part of the coalition effort.
"I would also like to be watching Ireland beat England in the rugby and be having a few pints of Guinness and maybe a whiskey. We will still celebrate as soon as possible with a shamrock presentation and a pot of Irish stew."
Major Alexander Forsyth (36) from Norfolk says the regiment always takes pride in its Irish connection.
"It is part of our identity as a regiment and we always mark it with a parade. Being out in Afghanistan, it is important we keep up the tradition. It is something we can all take pride in but also a chance to have some fun."
3 Comments
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.VonLiebenitz | Mar 17, 2012, 06:42 PM EDT
The title is misleading.I wonder why?
Skin | Mar 17, 2012, 04:09 PM EDT
George , The Queen's Hussars , where formed in the amalgamation of the Queens Royal Irish Hussars and the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
GeorgeDillon | Mar 17, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
Truly the standard of journalism on this site is atrocious. Kelly tells us that his outfit, the "Queen’s Royal Hussars" have some link to Ireland. What link is that, Kelly? There is no such link. I know you're only a journalism intern, Kelly, but you'll never be any good if you continue to write unthinking garbage.