CLINTON - The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick - Hunterdon County will hold its fourth annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 12.

Patrick Barrett will serve as parade grand marshal and Lebanon Borough Councilman Robert Junge has been named Irishman of the year.

Both men will be recognized at a dinner dance at The Farmhouse at The Grand Colonial in Hampton on March 4, along with over 200 Irishmen and Irishwomen who will gather to dine, dance and celebrate their Irish heritage, according to a news release.

The evening also features Irish dancing to music of Danny & The Boys, as well as world class Irish step dancers and a traditional Irish-American dinner.

"Pat is a founding member and past President of the FSSP and currently he chairs our all-important FSSP Funding Committee that is responsible for dispersing over $30,000 annually to needy individuals, families and organizations in Hunterdon County," said Chairman Bernie Gallagher. "Our Irishman of the Year Bob Junge, a decorated veteran, is hugely involved in many organizations in Hunterdon County.

St. Patrick's Day Parade brings sea of green

"Both Pat and Bob epitomize our core values of Community, Culture and Camaraderie and have contributed in large amount to the success of our organization to benefit the local community. We are delighted to have such worthy individuals to recognize as part of our 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrations."

The parade takes place at 3 p.m. in Clinton. Parade Chairmen Brian Manning and Rich Hall said the parade will highlight Irish-American traditions and culture, including five Pipe & Drum bands, along with Irish dancers, musicians, singers, military veterans, canine groups and more.

A Parade Afterparty will be held at the Clinton Firehouse immediately following the parade with music provided by The Patrick Clifford Band. Tickets for the dinner dance are $65 and the AfterParty tickets are $25; both are available from the Bill Healy Designs Showroom on Main Street.

Local co-sponsors include Argus Technology, Frey Engineering, Unity Bank, ShopRite Wines & Spirits, CenturyLink, Cryans Tavern, Montrose Molders, The Holiday Inn Clinton, Provident Bank, Stone Hill Financial, Ricoh US and Bill Healy Designs. Additional support comes from Freeholder John Lanza, Hunterdon Healthcare, Lawn Doctor, True & Associates and Tom McFadden and Denise McFadden.

The Red Mill Museum Village is also hosting a Mulligan's Saint Patty's Day Party from 3:30-5:30 p.m. following the parade. It is not being run in conjunction with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick - Hunterdon County. The party will include crafts, games, a "leprechaun trail" scavenger hunt, live blacksmith demonstrations and snacks. Admission is $10 per family.

Barrett is a 20-year resident of Whitehouse Station, and is a founding member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick - Hunterdon County.

After serving as treasurer, he became the organization's second president, serving in 2010-11. During these early years, Barrett focused on obtaining the organization's 501c3 status and refining the group's mission in serving the community of Hunterdon County.

Currently, he is the chair of the Funding Committee, which is responsible for providing financial and other support to County families in need. In addition to the Friendly Sons, Barrett dedicates time to the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund and the University of Georgia's Parents Leadership Council.

Barrett and his wife, Leigh-Ann, married in the fall of 1994 and settled in Bernardsville. They moved to Whitehouse Station in 1997 where they chose to raise their daughters, Tess and Colleen.

In 2002, a young Tess took a dance class that would immerse the family into the world of Irish Step dancing. Irish dance has allowed the Barrett family to learn and appreciate their Irish heritage, culture and traditions, including several trips to Ireland for Irish Dance Competitions where Pat's family have a rich Irish ancestry.

Although Tess has now retired from competition, Irish dance has resulted in enduring friendships and served as common bond in the creation of the organization.

A graduate of the University of Virginia and the Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Barrett is currently vice president and controller for Ricoh US. Outside of the Friendly Sons, he is a basketball junkie whether it is playing, coaching, or watching his Duke Blue Devils. After coaching Colleen and her teammates for five years, Pat and Colleen now volunteer together to coach fifth grade girls. Pat has played in the Readington Men's League since 2008 and continues to defy, or more accurately, deny Father Time.

Junge has been an active member of the organization since 2008 and serves on the annual Dinner-Dance Committee, the Golf Committee and is currently a trustee.

His spirit of service and country began at a young age.

One of his proudest accomplishments was serving in the U.S. Army where he served as an officer, combat engineer at Ft. Drum with the 76th and 41st Engineer Battalions, 10th Mountain Division in the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1980 through 1994.

Junge also served with the 411th Engineer Brigade Reserve in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had many deployments to Europe and one combat tour to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm.

He was promoted to platoon leader, company commander and brigade staff officer, and during his military career was highly decorated receiving The Bronze Star Medal (for leadership during combat), The Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. He continues to be a proud member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick - Hunterdon County is just one of the many community organizations that Junge generously contributes of his time and expertise.

He serves on the board of directors of Volunteer Guardianship One on One and serves as the fundraising chairperson.

He is also a commissioner on the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers board and serves as the treasurer. Junge is the past-president and an active member of the North Hunterdon Rotary Club, and has been recognized with the Paul Harris Fellowship award. He is a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, past Cornerstone member and is a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus.

He has served on the Lebanon Borough Council since 2012 and is the Public Safety Chairperson and Buildings & Grounds chairperson.

Bob and his wife Mary have been happily married for 30 years. They have two adult children; Erich who attends Rutgers Medical School, and Pamela, a teacher in Trenton. They have lived in Lebanon Borough for the past 21 years. Bob's Irish roots include his maternal grandparents who hail from Counties Cork and Clare.

A graduate of SUNY-Fredonia and Farleigh Dickinson University, he works as a Certified Financial Planner where he manages client assets through LPL Financial. He enjoys giving back to and being active in the Hunterdon County community especially with The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, which Bob says "Offers a great way to help others while enjoying the fellowship and brotherhood of many talented people."

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County is a 501c3 charitable organization of Irish-American heritage, intent on promoting, embracing and enjoying Irish-American culture.

Founded in 2008, it raises and distributes funds to families affected by medical bills, assists children with disabilities, supports non-profit organizations that benefit people in need through volunteerism and other activities, while positively promoting Irish-American culture.

Over the past eight years, the group has raised and distributed more than $175,000 across Hunterdon County. It always welcome new members and hold monthly meetings at 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Clinton Elks, 211 Sidney Road, Pittstown.

For more information and to reach out for assistance, or if you know an individual or family in need, e-mail FSSPHunterdon@gmail.com.

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