The story about the Irish couple who invited stranded American troops to their wedding near Shannon Airport is turning into the feelgood story of the summer for Irish America.

It was a wonderful gesture for the couple to do it, and it got its own reward when the American Ambassador Dan Rooney paid the couple a surprise visit to congratulate them.

The effort to sully the reputation of the American soldiers by saying they gatecrashed the wedding was far from the truth, and what was wonderful was that it was the bridal couple who stepped in to make that clear.

Amelia and Sean O'Neill saw the stranded soldiers who were staying in the same hotel, and in a gesture of rare generosity asked them to join the party.

The officer in charge allowed the soldiers in a few at a time to sample an Irish wedding. They were incredibly well-behaved, did not drink alcohol and made a huge impression on the Irish guests.

Of course the anti -American brigade in Ireland jumped on the incident immediately to try and paint the event in a far more sinister light.

They failed, thanks to common Irish decency and a wonderful newlywed couple who only wanted to show traditional Irish hospitality at its best.

Remember, after 9/1, Ireland was the only country to hold a day of national mourning for the dead Americans. Hundreds of thousands turned out for memorial services to honor the dead who naturally included a score of Irish-born.

I wrote a book about the Irish American heroes, mainly cops and firemen on the day, called "Fire in the Morning" and it got a great reception in Ireland.

Despite the setbacks since then, such as the ill-fated war in Iraq, Irish people may disagree with America's leaders but retain a deep affection for America - home and refuge for so many Irish over the centuries.

That feeling is reciprocated. Being Irish still carries a huge advantage in America.

Here is an example: I have been in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York this week,  and there was an Irish day and at the racetrack on Wednesday.

Over 17,000 people turned up. There was music, dance and the usual raising of a glass to two to the old country. The attendance on the day, the racetrack's first Irish day, was up 5,000 on the same day the year before, despite the recession.

I can't imagine another ethnic group would have drawn such a crowd. It is part of the summer landscape, these Irish celebrations large and small all over the U.S.

So good luck to the happy couple who made Americans far from home feel a little less lonely last week. They are continuing a very proud tradition that has made both countries neighbors of the heart for centuries now. Long may it continue.