Archive for May 12th, 2010

Chieftain Award
Presented to
John O’Neal

On March 17th 2010 our Past President John O’Neal was awarded the Chieftain Award by the Kansas City Irish Museum and Cultural Center and honored by his brothers in the AOH. John was recognized for his years of work and dedication in the Irish community in Kansas City.

Thoughts from your brother Hibernian, Craig Farewell, Past President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Kansas Division.

How do you talk briefly about John…..you can’t do it and give him his just due. This award and day of honor for John has been brought to the forefront because of his years and years of commitment to the Irish-American culture here in Kansas City, but it’s more than that to us…..it’s about his commitment as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and far greater friend than most of us will ever know.

It’s easy to be involved in many groups and organizations, you just show up, follow the herd and get credit for doing so. Well John actually cares about his involvement and he cares about the mission and goal of each and every group he has been or will be associated with. Just ask the folks in the Celtic Fringe, just ask the Parade Committee, just ask our hosts here at the IMCC. You don’t need to ask his brothers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians…. John is the AOH. Our motto is Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. I challenge any among you to find someone who lives those ideals better than John O’Neal.

There’s an age old adage that we Irish are notorious fighters….look no further than our friend John, if the word fight has a defining figure it’s the bright eyed, round faced, kilt wearing, singing figure, of John you’d see. His sickness has slowed him a bit and made his day to day life more difficult than before but that sickness has no idea the fight that resides in John. He does not lose. He does not succumb. He does not give up.

I have no problem stating clearly and to all who hear it, I love the man without reservations and I also say this…..if I live to be one half as good as he I will be a great man indeed. – Craig Farewell, Past President

May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.

Congratulations John from all your brother Hibernians, all the staff from IMCC, all Irish organizations who you have touched. – Andy Sprehe, President