Editing Saint Patrick's Battalion (section)

==Historical perspective==
[[File:Saint Patrick's Battalion 1847, plaque Mexico.jpg|thumb|upright|Commemorative plaque placed at the San Jacinto Plaza in the district of [[San Ángel]], [[Mexico City]] in 1959: "In memory of the Irish soldiers of the heroic St. Patrick's Battalion, martyrs who gave their lives to the Mexican cause in the United States' unjust invasion of 1847"]]

For those Mexicans who had fought in the [[Mexican–American War]] and for generations to come after, the {{lang|es|San Patricios}} were heroes who came to their aid in an hour of need. For Americans, the {{lang|es|San Patricios}} were traitors, fighting in an unjust attempt by Mexico to reconquer Texas.{{sfn|Hogan|1998|p=223}} Successive Mexican presidents have praised the {{lang|es|San Patricios}}; [[Vicente Fox Quesada]] stated that, "The affinities between Ireland and Mexico go back to the first years of our nation, when our country fought to preserve its national sovereignty... Then, a brave group of Irish soldiers... in a heroic gesture, decided to fight against the foreign ground invasion",{{sfn|Connaughton|2005}} and Mexican president [[Ernesto Zedillo]] stated "Members of the St. Patrick's Battalion were executed for following their consciences. They were martyred for adhering to the highest ideals... we honor their memory. In the name of the people of Mexico, I salute today the people of Ireland and express my eternal gratitude".{{sfn|Fogarty|2005}}