An Cosantóir

April 2019

An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.

Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/1098889

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An Cosantóir April 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS BY SGT TONY WHITE (RETIRED) I retired from the Defence Forces as Sgt and my brother Michael White retired as a Coy Sgt, we have a combined service of over 50 years' in the Defence Forces. We both served in 2 Garrison S&T Company in McKee Barracks. Our father Brian White also completed his 21 years' service in the Defence Forces. He served with CT Depot (E), 2 Inf Bn and 20 Inf Bn, and served overseas with 1st Inf Gp and 38th Inf Bn in the Congo and with 31st Inf Bn in Cyprus. As young children we remember our mother Patricia, bring- ing us to Clancy Barracks to meet our father on his return from the Congo. It was a joyous occasion witnessing all the families greeting their loved ones with hugs and kisses and smiling radiantly. The soldiers with their blue berets, blue cravats and their medals looked fantastic and knowing that our father was among them filled us with immense pride. Years later both myself and Michael would experience this special homecoming as we also served overseas with the UN in Lebanon and of course our father was in Clancy Barracks to greet us. Our father Brian sadly passed away in February 2001 and while our mother was disposing of his personal belongings, she gave me and Michael two medals each which were our father's service medal and overseas medals. We are both members of Post 1 Irish United Nations Veter- ans Association (IUNVA) in Arbour Hill and we had sought to donate our father Brian's medals to IUNVA House, this was granted by the Committee of Post 1. With the assistance of Post 1 members Ronnie Daly and Mick Monaghan, a mass was organised in Arbour Hill Church on Sunday 17th February 2019. The mass was celebrated by Head Chaplain, Fr Seamus Madigan and 35 members of our family in attendance. This included his five sons, two daughters, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mick Colton and Mick Monaghan, who both served overseas with Brian, were also in attendance. Members of Post 1 including Mick Dillon, Stevie Rynn, Noel McGivern and other veterans myself and Michael had served with at home and overseas. Our father Brian's medals were mounted and framed together with a photo of him and placed on the altar facing the congregation by Fr Madigan. During the Communion, as I knelt and closed my eyes, I pictured myself back in Clancy Barrack and saw my dad jump off the back of a truck and throw his arms around my mother, a very special memory. After the mass, a reception was held in IUNVA House with tea, coffee and sandwiches. A beautiful cake was presented by Patsy McGivern. The medals were presented by Michael and myself on behalf of our family and accepted on behalf of Post 1 by Mick Colton, President of Post 1, and Mick Monaghan, and the medals are now on display in IUNVA House. As a family, we cannot thank the staff and committee of Post 1 IUNVA enough for making this day happen. It has gen- erated so many happy memories. POST 1 IUNVA HONOURS CONGO VETERAN Tony White, Michael White, Mick Colton, Mick Monaghan Tony White, Mick Colton, Mick Monaghan, Michael White Michael White, Tony White Mick, Ben, Caroline, Tony, Sean, Liz and Steven White Mick, Ben, Caroline, Tony, Ronnie Daly (Post 1), Tony White, Mick Colton (President Post 1), Mick Monaghan (Post 1), Michael White Sean, Liz and Steven White Tony White, Mick Colton, Mick Monaghan, Michael White

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