An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2018/Jan 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS Helping Hands: Veterans' Support Centre opens in the Curragh Camp BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY, 105 SQN O n the 19th Novem- ber the Organisation for National Ex- Service Personnel (ONE) in conjunc- tion with the GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan opened a Veterans' Support Centre (VSC) in the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare. Present for the opening was ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor, ONE National President Tom James, ONE Chairman Brig Gen Colm Campbell Retd and Chairman of the St. Conleth's Branch John 'Bosco' Fogarty. The St. Conleth's Branch of ONE headed up the project over the last few months. The ONE is a Vet- erans charity, which supports the welfare of former members of the Defence Forces by providing accom- modation for 44 homeless veterans in their residential homes in Dublin, Let- terkenny and Athlone. ONE also provides in- formation, advice and a friendly place to go through their branch network and Veteran Support Centres located around the country. General Mulligan officially cut the rib- bon on the office in Block 5 Ceannt Barracks while a large num- ber of veterans from the surrounding area watched on, including ONE branches from Athy, Carlow, Tullow, members of IUNVA, the Glengarry Club, the Military Police Association of Ireland, the 3rd Infantry Battalion Association, and Yvonne Harrison of the Irish Branch of Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA). In cutting the ribbon General Mulligan announced the VSC, "Open for business." He added that it was a great initiative and he was delighted to support it. "We tend to soldier on, and put up with anything. Now its great to come and get advice and to talk - support is important. I wish you every success… we all wanted to get this positive venture completed, it also makes the organisa- tion [Defence Forces] stronger." Discussing the location of the VSC, which is based in the middle of the west side of the camp in Ceannt Barracks, the general added, "Serving soldiers can see the VSC working in the middle of the barracks." He finished by wishing the Veterans',"The best of luck in the future." With General Mulligan's retirement coming up in a number of weeks, ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor took the opportunity to present the general with an ONE application form which received a great cheer. ONE Chairman retired Brig Gen Colm Campbell thanked all for coming and said, "That the work ONE does can be summed up in a few words: Supporting, Advocating and Remembering. We support veterans with our branch network and residential homes around the country, and 8 of the 13 Veterans' Support Centres' now open. This Centre is for 'All Veterans' and has everything from a hand- shake to a cup of tea and everything in between," he added. For ad- vocating he said the ONE was Apolitical and advocates on behalf of all veterans to national and to local government departments and officials for their benefit. Speaking about Remembrance, the retired general said, "Last week we remembered those who died at Niemba, following the cer- emony one of our members Gregory Leech (ONE/IUNVA/2 Battalion Association) met a comrade who he hadn't seen since they served in the Congo in 1961, it was a joy to see how delighted they were for this to happen. So, civilians have friends and soldiers have comrades." ONE National President Tom James, finished off the official ceremony by thanking all those who helped make the project possible, he thanked the GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan by adding, "I'm glad we kept going and delighted we did it under your tenure." He also thanked members of his own branch St. Conleths including Shamie Flynn who painted the offices, and chairman John 'Bosco' Fogarty and above all others, branch secretary Paddy Flavin who worked day and night to get the place ready and was the main steering force for the opening of the VSC. ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor just reiterated that the Veterans Support Centres are open to all veterans living in Ireland no mat- ter of their association or nationality. GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan opening the Veterans' Support Centre with Paddy Flavin, Secretary St. Conleths Branch. Brig Gen Joe Mulligan with ONE National President Tom James. ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor presents Brig Gen Joe Mulligan with an ONE application form which received a great cheer. GOC DFTC Brig Gen Joe Mulligan opening the Veterans' Support Centre with many veterans' present. ONE Chairman Brig Gen Colm Campbell Retd, explains the aims of the Veterans' Support Centre.

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