Past Parade Honorees

Joan was raised in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, one of seven children born to William J (Cork) and Mary Virginia Burns Sweeney (Galway). She attended St. Barnabas Grammar School, Our Lady of Victory Academy, and Bronx Community College, where she earned her Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. She went on to Lehman College where she received her Bachelor of Science … [Read more...] about 2019 Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Joan Moore

MEGAN LEAVEY grew up in Valley Cottage, New York. After September 11, 2001, she decided to leave college and join the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Leavey graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and from there completed about a year of training, which included Marine Combat training, Military Police school, and K9 school. Corporal Leavey was stationed … [Read more...] about 2019 Parade Commander Cpl. Megan Leavey USMC

Heather L Bowie was born at Pease Airforce base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where her mother Denise was serving in the Navy.  Shortly thereafter, Denise & Heather relocated to Rockland County to be closer to family where Denise would then re-enlist in the Army.  Heather’s parents, Michael & Denise Kennedy were married in 1989.  The Kennedy lineage stems from County … [Read more...] about 2019 Rockland County AOH Business Person of the Year Heather Bowie

Neill was born in the Bronx to Gerard and Eleanor Acer in 1971. His maternal grandparents journeyed to the United States from Ireland (Roscommon and Leitrim) in the 1920s. Mike Ward and Annie O’Neill chose to call New York their home. When Neill’s parents met and subsequently married, they, too, chose to stay in New York. His father, Gerry, was a retired New York City banker. … [Read more...] about 2018 Hibernian Business Person of the Year Neil Acer

Francis Thomas Duffy was born on August 16, 1923, to Frank and Katie Duffy as one of six children raised in New York City. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 4, 1942, and attended recruit training at Parris Island, S.C., and received follow-on infantry training at New River and Camp Lejeune, N.C. Mr. Duffy sailed with the 2/25 from Norfolk via the Panama … [Read more...] about Parade Commander Francis T. Duffy