An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/1161068
An Cosantóir September 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | BY CAPTAIN GERRY DUFF, PIO 114 BN UNIFIL F rom the 2nd to the 3rd July 2019, the men and women of 114 Inf Bn had the honour of hosting Mrs Rosario Lynch and her sister Mrs Teresa Kennedy in Lebanon. Mrs Lynch's husband, Sgt John Lynch RIP, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, along with four ITALAIR colleagues on 6th August 1997. The pur- pose of Mrs Lynch's visit was to attend a formal ceremony mark- ing the 40th Anniversary of establishment of ITALAIR in UNIFIL in ITALAIR HQ, Naquora. On 2nd July, Mrs Lynch began her busy visit to IRISHBATT by first visiting the site of the helicopter crash, on the Southern slope of Hill 880 in the village of At Tiri. A very fitting monument was erected near the site of the crash by Italian troops in 2016. At this quiet, private ceremony, Fr Pat Mernagh, Chaplain of 114 Inf Bn, said a short prayer in memory of our fallen colleagues. Mrs Lynch then laid a wreath in memory of her husband with a quiet moment of reflection. The group then moved a short distance to UNP 6-41 at the sum- mit of Hill 880. This strategic position was decisive terrain through- out the turbulent history of Southern Lebanon. The position is now occupied by UN troops from the French Armed Forces. Irish troops based on Hill 880 built a memorial in 1999 in memory of the peacekeepers who lost their lives on that fateful day. This impres- sive memorial is a reconstruction of an old Irish round tower. The memorial is still maintained by our French colleagues to this day. Fr Pat put everyone at ease with more kind words and by playing the song 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' by Judy Garland. Mrs Lynch laid another wreath at the memorial. Mrs Lynch then travelled to the Tibnine Monument, where the IRISHBATT monthly commemoration was taking place. Mrs Lynch was the guest of honour for the parade. This parade is conducted every month, where DF members who died in service with UNIFIL are remem- bered. This parade is attended by DF troops and local commu- nity leaders. IRISHBATT personnel perform the Guard of Honour at the cer- emony. This month, the Bn conducted the GOH with all female members of the unit. Under the command of Capt Bridget Clarke, the parade remembered, along with Sgt Lynch, Pte Philip Grogan and Tpr Paul Fogarty. Es- corted by the Senior Irish Officer, Col Ian Byrne DSM and OC 114 Bn, Lt Col Paul Kelly, Mrs Lynch laid a wreath in memory of all our fallen comrades who gave their lives in the service of peace. The guests then attended a small reception in the town hall afterwards. On 3rd July, Mrs Lynch attended the formal remembrance ceremony in ITALAIR, UNIFIL HQ. The event began with a mass, celebrated by the Italian padre, who coincidentally was the padre with ITALAIR when the helicopter crashed. After mass, families of the deceased were invited to lay a wreath in memory of their loved ones followed by a tour of ITALAIR. The entire ceremony was conducted to an exceptional standard and attended by troops from all UNIFIL contributing nations. OC ITALAIR made a presentation to Mrs Lynch on behalf of the Italian Air Force. We cannot give enough praise to both IRISHBATT and ITALAIR personnel who conducted themselves in a highly professional man- ner throughout Mrs Lynch's visit. The planning and execution of the visit ensured that maximum time and attention was given to Mrs Lynch for her own reflection. The visit was also a timely reminder to all troops that, even though Lebanon has seen peace for the past 13 years, it at one time was a very volatile operating environment which cost the lives of 47 Irish peacekeepers. It was a privilege to be involved in this visit and hopefully other similar visits to the AO will be conducted in the future. Special thanks to Col Ian Byrne DSM (SIO), Lt Col Paul Kelly (OC 114 Bn), Lt Col John Martin (OIC PSS), Fr Pat Mernagh (Chaplain 114 Bn) and Capt Barry Dolan (114 Bn) for making this visit a huge success. Visiting the site of the helicopter crash, on the Southern slope of Hill 880 Visiting UN Post 6-41 on Hill 880 in the village of At Tiri. Pictured at the formal remembrance ceremony in ITALAIR, UNIFIL HQ. Mrs Lynch laid a wreath in memory of all our fallen comrades who gave their lives in the service of peace. All female GOH under the command of Capt Bridget Clarke.