An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VE DAY WREATH LAYING CEREMONY VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS O n Friday, 8th May, 2020, the world remembered the 75th Anniversary of the uncon- ditional surrender of Nazi Germany. In Listowel, Co. Kerry, John Wade, Secretary of Post 2 of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, re- ceived a phone call and was asked by Jim Halpin, of the Listowel and North Kerry Military Heritage Group, to lay a wreath in memory of all Irish men and women who served and died dur- ing WW2. John immediately ac- cepted the invitation and contacted John Monaghan, a local Royal British Legion member, hoping he could join with him at the wreath laying. Unfortunately, John was unable to do so, as he was still recovering following a recent illness – plus, he was cocooning. Jim, a former member of the FCA and an Associate Member of Post 2 IUNVA, provided a wreath and a poppy designed arrangement. Jim was also un- able to attend, so it was left to John alone to do the honours....such are the times we live in. The wreath was laid, two minutes silence was observed and those being commemorated were remembered. Also re- membered were those who have died as a result of Covid-19. Two Irish Army soldiers who drowned in the Blackwater River whilst taking part in the largest Irish Army manoeuvres ever to have taken place in Ireland in September 1942 were also recalled. They were Lt. Thomas Ryan from Cashel, and Sgt. Michael McElligott who was from Rathea, near Listowel. An Cosantoir has covered the tragedy in a previous publication. Jim Halpin, with other members of the aforementioned Military Heritage Group, have promoted Listowel and North Kerry's military connections, the Defence Forces, IUNVA, ONE and have been involved, for many years, in organising a Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony in Listowel over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Ambassadors, Military Attachés, Defence Forces members of all ranks, local Dignitaries, VIP Guests of Honour such as some of our Jadotville Tigers have all participated in the ceremonies over the years. It was a great achievement , by Jim Halpin, and an honour to have John O'Gorman, Tom Gunn and Noel Stanley – three Jadotville Tigers - plus Leo Quinlan (the son of Cmdt. Pat Quinlan from Kerry who was their Company Commander in Jadotville) presiding over a seminar on The Seige of Jadotville. This year, we were to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of at Tiri, the subsequent death of Stephen Griffin as a result of a head wound and the shooting of Tom Barrett, Derek Smallhorne and John O'Mahony. The latter was to take part in a semi- nar on the event and a great friend of the Group, Paul Clarke of the 2nd Inf. Bn. Association, offered to act as the Moderator. Paul has been a true comrade with the giving of his time, his knowl- edge, contacts and assistance to the Group. It is hoped that the situation will improve sufficiently to allow the Group to fully commemo- rate those from North Kerry who served and died in WW1, as has been done for a number of years now with a Remembrance Mass and Wreath Laying Ceremony in November with the participation of Veterans from ONE, Post 2 IUNVA, RBL and the Amer- i- can Legion.

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