I enjoy reading the "Irish American News" each month. I find much of the writing interesting, funny, informative, and, at times, irritating. Yet, every once in awhile, there is something that rises above the mundane, that makes one sit up and read the piece again. Such was Mr. Chris Fogarty's "meditation" on the Gallipoli "Pilgrimage" in your March edition.

This piece should be required reading in every history and political science class in this country.  It should be read to every politician who is a cheerleader for the "War on Terrorism", a war most of these people have never fought in nor for which their children have enlisted. Mr. Fogarty's comment that the proposed "Pilgrimage... mindlessly (closes) our eyes to the meaning, purposes, and consequences of Gallipoli" ought to give every thoughtful, reasonable person great pause even as the media finds new and more gruesome ways to push violence and death as tv,movie, and video game staples.

My only regret is that Mr. Fogarty did not point out that so many of the Irish soldiers died because of the inept and arrogant leadership(sic) of the English commanders, including Winston Churchill.

My sincere appreciation to Mr. Fogarty for his courage in writing what he did. My deepest respect for "ian"  publishing it at this critical time in our history.

Reverend Joseph A. Mulcrone