Congratulations to the Marlay Softball Club on your 20th Anniversary. I was privileged to be a part of that club for almost two years (Mar. ’97 – Oct. ’98) and I still credit Marlay softball for giving me my life long lasting friendships with so many of you.

I first game to Ireland in March of ’97 from the sunshine filled skies of Kenya to an hour of sunshine a week in Dublin. After finding all my warm jumpers and rain gear, Staff Sgt Sanders asked me if I wanted to join him and play softball with the premier team in Ireland. Sure, I said, not knowing that that question would have an impact on my life.

I better learn how to drink!

I attended the first game/practice and kept getting asked the same question, ‘so you’re the new Marine?’ I thought to myself, I have high expectations to fill from all the other Marines that have passed through the fields of Marlay Park.

Then it was off to the Eden Pub where I met Tom (not sure if he was from Ireland with a Chicago accent or Chicago with an Irish accent) and Niamh. There I learnt if I want to play softball with this club I better learn how to drink because I think after my 4th pint I was face down on the table. As the games and the sessions went on my batting average dropped but my pint consumption went up.

So throughout the rest of my time in Ireland, softball and the friends I met made my time one of the most memorable parts of my life. The parties, blitzes, parties, a couple of romances, parties, flying back from the U.S. for a weekend tournament in Galway, and the many shopping trolleys that were stolen by Emma, Fiona, Lorna and myself made my time there so wonderful.

Thank you to all for allowing me to be a part of a great thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and all the best.

- Joe Gulas, USMC