UN veterans group appeals for young volunteers to join

WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY:THE IRISH United Nations Veterans Association marked its annual wreath-laying ceremony yesterday with an appeal for veterans as young as 18 to join their organisation.

At the ceremony in Dublin's Arbour Hill representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Corps and Garda Síochána were joined by Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Eibhlin Byrne in paying tribute to all Irish Defence Forces personnel who had served with the UN.

The Lord Mayor said her father-in-law, a member of the Garda, "went to the Congo in the 60s complete with two young children and a pregnant wife".

Ms Byrne said she wanted to acknowledge not only the heroism and acts of gallantry "but the simple courage required to uproot oneself from the familiar and to head off to foreign shores to serve both your own country and the citizens of other countries.

"Like many I have a real sense of pride in the blue beret and the higher ideals for which it stands. I strongly believe that few nations have done more than Ireland to bolster the reputation of that beret throughout the world."

The Lord Mayor added: "Patriotism takes many forms, but a loyalty to ideals and a willingness to play your part in upholding those ideals must be a crucial part of any form of patriotism. In serving with honour and dignity throughout the world our services have done much to honour our own flag."

A spokesman for the veterans association said the members were pleased with the attendance which numbered about 200.

But he added that there was popular misconception veterans had to be old people.

"You can go out to East Timor at 18 years of age and come back at 18½ and be a veteran. We would like some of the younger people to contact us and to get involved."

Wreaths were laid in the memorial garden by the Lord Mayor, the president of the veterans association, Maj Gen Vincent Savino (retired), and family members of deceased veterans. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Army by Pte Anthony Gilmore of the 58th Battalion; on behalf of the Naval Service by Able Seaman Ciarán Hayes; on behalf of the Air Corps by Airwoman Kerri Moore, and on behalf of An Garda Síochána by Supt Maura Lernihan who served with the UN in Cyprus.

The Royal British Legion in Ireland was represented by Gen David O'Morchoe (retired), while John Moore and Patrick Whelan represented the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force respectively.

Prayers were said by Msgr Eoin Thynne, head chaplain of the Defence Forces and Very Rev John Marsden, Dean of Kildare.

The wreath-laying was followed by a minute's silence in memory of all UN peacekeepers who served with the UN, after which the Last Postwas played. The ceremony ended with the raising of the Tricolour and the playing of the national anthem.