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Defence Forces Newsletter www.military.ie december 2012 Vol 16 Issue 8 Presidents Message M ar Cheannasaí Uachtarach ar Óglaigh na hÉireann cuireann sé gliondar croí orm dea-mhéin na Nollag a chur chuig gach comhalta de na Fórsaí Cosanta agus roimh a gclanna an tráth speisialta seo den bhliain. I gcaitheamh 2012 lean gach earnáil de na Fórsaí Cosanta de mheas agus d'ómós forleathan mhuintir na hÉireann a tharraingt orthu féin; is amhlaidh a chuaigh siad i ngleic gan teip le raon leathan de dhúshláin éagsúla. Is ann don ómós agus don mheas céanna in go leor tíortha eile inar sheol na Fórsaí Cosanta seo 'gainne misin ar mhódh íogair proifisiúnta. As Supreme Commander of Óglaigh na Éireann I am delighted to extend Christmas greetings to each and every member of the Defence Forces and their families at this special time of the year. Throughout 2012 all areas of the Defence Forces continued to earn the widespread respect and admiration of the people of Ireland; unfailingly rising to a wide and varied range of challenges. That respect and admiration is shared in many other countries where our Defences Forces have carried out missions in a sensitive and professional manner. Each of you - whether engaged in peacekeeping missions overseas, bomb disposal, air and sea rescue missions and the air ambulance service, fishery protection, or the many other critical tasks involved in ensuring the security of our State and the well-being of its citizens - have worked with a professionalism, selfless commitment and dedication of which you should be very proud. During 2012 I was privileged to make my first official visit to a military installation at the Naval Base, Haulbowline where generations of seamen and women and civilian support staff have served our country and the Defence Forces so well. I was deeply impressed by the dedication and courage of the men and women I met there and their commitment in rising to the challenges of a career in the naval service, including spending long periods at sea away from family and loved ones. That commitment and courage is, I know, shared by all of the men and women whose lives are pledged to the Army, the Naval Service, the Air Corps or the Reserve and who never fail to provide a public service of great professionalism, dedication and value to our nation. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh cuid mhór agaibh ar dualgas um Nollaig. Beidh cuid agaibh sa bhaile agus cuid eile ag fónamh in go leor leor tíortha ar fúd na cruinne. I mór ar fad agam an íobairt átá á déanamh agaibh tríd an séasúr féiltiúil a chaitheamh i bhfad ó bhúr gclanna agus bhúr muintir, agus, thar ceann mhuintir na hÉireann, gabhaim buíochas libh as bhúr ndíograis agus bhúr dtiomantas do chúis na síochána agus na slándála. I know that many of you will be on duty over Christmas, some at home and others serving in many countries across the globe. I greatly appreciate the sacrifice you make in spending the festive season away from your families and loved ones, and I thank you, on behalf of the Irish people for your commitment and dedication to the cause of peace and security. I would like to thank you for all you have achieved in 2012, and I wish you and your families a very joyous Christmas season and every happiness in 2013. Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland Contents Presidents message COS Message Padres' Message Ministers Message PSS Message Courses The Gathering Spot the Difference Section Drill Poster READ MORE

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