An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 21 REPORT & PHOTOS BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD & SGT KARL BYRNE R ecently, An Cosantóir visited the Irish United Na- tions Veterans Association's Post 11 (Suncroft/Cur- ragh) located in No 2, Griffith Road, Curragh Camp. The house, a four-bed, with a large kitchen and dining room, and oil central heating, is on a 99-year lease from the DoD. We got a great feel of comradery among these veterans when speaking with Post 11 chairman, Tony O'Reilly, sec- retary, Mick Gorman, other members of staff, and some residents who live in house. (Post 11 is unique in IUNVA as it houses four DF veterans on a full-time basis, and has done since 2005.) The post has 84 members, which in- cludes one serving garda and some serving DF members. Tony O'Reilly told us: "The post was originally in 'the Wes' (the old canteen in the Curragh), where there were five veterans living upstairs. Then, in 2005 we were given No 2 Griffith Road, for which we owe many thanks to former COS Dermot Earley (RIP) and to former EO DFTC Col John Courtney; and a special thanks to BFW foreman Tom Ma- guire for making the house habitable." Tony, who is in his fifth year as chairman, enlisted with 3 Inf Bn in 1973, where he spent most of his long career up to retirement as a CQMS in 2007. He worked on the pro- curement project for the Mowag APC and the conversion to a mechanised infantry force. He served on nine trips to Lebanon and one to Liberia. "I am responsible for running the post," Tony told us, "assisted by our secretary, treasurer, welfare officer and other members of the committee. We have a very good working relationship with the DFTC and with the GOC, Brig Gen Joe Mulligan." Mick Gorman spent most of his 21-year career in the Gen- eral Training Depot (GTD) in the Curragh and the last five in the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Bks, Naas. He served overseas in Cyprus three times in 1968, 1974, and 1978. Other post members we met included Catherine and Miriam. Catherine has been coming in three days a week for the past 10 years. Her father, CQMS Michael McBride, was a member of Post 11, but sadly passed away. Miriam Lott carries out the post's secretarial work five mornings a week under a TÚS community work placement scheme. Regarding Post 11's activities, Tony told us: "80% of our involvement with our veterans is welfare related. We can't give out money, but we can help by getting advice for them and accessing the Army Benevolent Fund through IUNVA National Welfare Officer Michael Thompson." We also chatted to some of the veterans who live in the house and see it as their home. Kevin 'Woody' Woods joined 3 Inf Bn in 1973, becoming an army chef working in both Ceannt Dining Hall and Ceannt Officers' Mess. He remembers serving overseas with 43 Inf Bn and cooking on the old M59s. Kevin left the DF in 1998 and was living in New- bridge until circum- stances led him back to the Curragh to live. Jimmy 'Bulia' Welsh enlisted in 1979 and completed 18 years with 1 Armd Cav Sqn before finishing his career with Logs Base HQ, DFTC, as a storeman after 37 years' service. Jimmy lived in Plunkett and Ceannt Bks most of his army life, and was delighted with the opportunity to live in the house with his fellow veterans. Post 11 holds its monthly meetings in Connolly Ptes' Mess and holds fundraisers like pub quizzes and raffles, in the messes in the Curragh. From these, they have made donations to local charities like Newbridge Cancer Support, Newbridge Meals on Wheels and Saint Brigid's Hospice on the Curragh, to name a few. The post held their annual deceased members Mass at the end of August in memory of their 34 deceased comrades. It is fitting to see the DF ethos being displayed to its fullest by veterans who work to look after the needs of other veterans and who make such efforts to make them feel at home. From l/r: Miriam Lott, Jimmy 'Bulia' Welsh, Kevin 'Woody' Woods, Catherine, Post 11 chairman, Tony O'Reilly, and secretary Mick Gorman.

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