THE GREAT POWERS -- Great Britain, Russia and France weren’t the only imperial nations of the 19th century. What about the United States in the Philippines, Cuba, Nicaragua and Mexico? Or was Hogan really saying: “Deodorant? Me? Sure I’m using it. Here, take a whiff.” THE IGNOMINY -- The usual punishment for desertion from the U.S. Army was the firing squad but the Irish soldiers were hanged -- an inappropriate way for the San Patricios to meet their end. Or was Hogan really saying: “I don’t care if you’re 80 years old, don’t fall asleep during my talk.” THE FINAL CURTAIN -- As the Irish soldiers were choking on the rope, the U.S. flag was being hoisted over Chapultepec in Mexico City. Or was Hogan really saying: “I’ve searched everywhere but you just can’t buy a decent fitting shirt in Mexico.” THE DEVOUT -- The two cultures -- Irish and Mexican -- had plenty in common. For example, they both shared the Latin mass. Or was Hogan really saying: “Please buy my book. Please buy my book. Oh, please, please, please buy my book. I’ll just die if you don’t.” THE BULLYING NEIGHBOR -- U.S. President James Polk declared war on Mexico after Mexicans fired on U.S. troops -- on Mexican soil! Or was Hogan really saying: “Dave Landes, if you take one more photo of me, I swear I’ll knock you right in the kisser.”
Story by : Dave Landes

Michael Hogan, the author of “The Irish Soldiers of Mexico,” was the
invited speaker at this week’s meeting of the International Friendship
Club. The eloquent and knowledgeable historian enthralled his audience
with the tale of the San Patricio Battalion, the U.S. Army unit that
switched sides to fight alongside the Mexicans during the 1846-48
U.S.-Mexico War. Hogan is obviously of the belief that actions can
often speak louder than words, and employed a varied range of
gestures to embellish his talk. So what was Hogan saying with all
these gesticulations? Here are some possibilities.