An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY ONE FUCHSIA APPEAL 2019 O n the 27th June 2019, veteran's association the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) held their Annual Fuchsia Appeal at the National Memorial at Merrion Square West – Which is dedicated to members of the Defence Forces who have given their lives in the service of the State. With the summer sun in full glow, and the Band of 2 Bde setting a great atmosphere for those passing-by and for those gathered for the veteran's association to launch their much-needed annual fundraising appeal. The ONE Fuchsia Appeal helps to fund the homeless hostels for veterans which are owned and run by the ONE; it's also to put in place preventative measures to avert homelessness, and the provi- sion of other support services for Defence Forces veterans. The appeal was launched by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM and Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD. ONE Chairman Brig Gen Colm Campbell (retd) got proceed- ings under way, firstly by thanking all those gathered, and announcing it was the 11th year of the Fuchsia Appeal. During his speech Brig Gen Campbell said: "ONE provides everything, from a handshake from a fellow veteran to a bed in one of our hostels [where we] provided 16,000 bed nights over the last year, [and] over 90% of people we help move on to permanent housing... Everyone 'volunteers' to serve in the Defence Forces, but not to become a homeless veteran." The chairman concluded by saying ONE campaigns on behalf of all veterans and needs approximately €800,000 for current services rising to €1,000,000 for planned services. This includes the current homeless facilities for veterans in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone, further planned facilities in Cobh, as well as the 14 Veteran Support Centres around the country. He added that the homes in Letterkenny and Athlone receive no regular outside funding and he thanked Minister Kehoe and his officials in the Dept of Defence for their continued support. Brig Gen Campbell thanked Vice Admiral Mellett for his, and the Defence Forces', support, and expressed the as- sociation's gratitude to all of its supporters and volunteer members. He also gave a special word of thanks to Rothco, who were responsible for ONE's award-winning awareness campaign, 'Sleeping Flags', in February 2019. Minister Kehoe said it was an honour to be there launching the Fuchsia Appeal, "ONE's annual fundraising has been going since 2009, and has gone from strength to strength," he said, adding: "It is right and proper that the government is commit- ted to supporting veterans… and I will call on all Government Ministers to wear the fuchsia badge on the National Day of Commemoration." He concluded with a reminder that those in attendance were gathered at "a place of reflection, where 87 members of the Defence Forces are remembered for paying the ultimate sacrifice." In the final speech, Vice Admiral Mellet remarked that 2019 was ONE's 69th year supporting Defence Forces veterans; people who had helped provide a safe and secure environ- ment for others during their service. He acknowledged the strategic leadership that General Campbell has provided to ONE and thanked him for it. Vice Admiral Mellett spoke about the contribution to the state made over the years by members of the Defence Forces and spoke about the duty of care the organisation owes its personnel, saying: "We have completed over 70,000 tours of duties in the last 61-years. With two [of the] 87 killed overseas still missing, one in the Lebanon and one in the Congo. The Defence Forces works closely with our veterans… We will be brothers to those who serve and have served." The COS fin- ished by stating that the Defence Forces would continue to support ONE's Fuchsia Appeal. ONE Chairman Brig Gen Colm Campbell (retd). Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD. Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM Vice Admiral Mellett, members of the general staff and the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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