An Cosantóir

22 By Tony O'Brien O.N.E. 70 TH ANNIVERSARY Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel-O.N.E.) is a veteran's organisation, a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and an approved housing body for veterans of the Irish Defence Forces. O.N.E. was established in 1951 and its primary objective is to support the needs of Irish veterans by the provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in its hostels. Advice and support is offered through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans' Support Centres. "When people think of Veterans they may think of old men, but that couldn't be further from the truth", states Ollie O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer of O.N.E.. He adds: "In reality, we can have veterans of all ages, both men and women, veterans with differing sexual orientation and veterans from various ethnic backgrounds. We are a diverse and inclusive organisation and most definitely not an old man's group." Ollie is keen to emphasise the point because ONE welcomes all veterans. He is the Chief Executive of an organisation with a very impressive record of support and representation for ex- Defence Forces personnel and their interests and daily needs. He continued: "To further build on and progress the overall goals and objectives of O.N.E., it is important to increase the diversity of our membership. Greater participation in the organisation is key to rounding out the invaluable services offered by O.N.E.." O.N.E.'s purpose and objectives, he says, can be summed up in four words: • Support • Comradeship • Advocacy • Remembrance Founded in Dublin's Mansion House on 10th March 1951, O.N.E. is celebrating a remarkable 70th anniversary. Over the decades in between, it has gone from strength to strength, until today it stands as one of the most active support groups in the country. With 1,400 members stretched across 37 branches and 15 veteran support centres, O.N.E. also has three hostels offering accommodation (meals and lodging) in 49 single rooms to veterans - in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone - who would otherwise be homeless. There are two further hostels planned for Cobh and Cork city. Ollie O'Connor, himself a former Sergeant with 23 years' service, details the Support that the organisation provides. "We provide support through accommodation for homeless (or just about to be homeless) veterans in our hostels and other advice and support through the Branches and Veteran Support Centres." Then there is Comradeship. "This is to develop a spirit of comradeship amongst veterans and between veterans and serving personnel", Ollie explains, adding: "We see ourselves as part of the Defence Forces family." As for Advocacy, he says: "We meet quarterly with the Ollie O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer of O.N.E. v Brig Gen (rtd) Jerry Enright lays a wreath at Niemba 50th Anniversary Commemoration in 2010 v Brú na bhFiann, homeless initiative building and home to O.N.E Headquarters located in Smithfield, Dublin v O.N.E. member Tom James being presented with 2016 medal in honour of O.N.E.'s service to the state by at the time Minister with responsibility for Defence TD Paul Kehoe, also in the picture is COS Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM and previous GOC DFTC Brigadier General Joe Mulligan O.N.E. 70TH ANNIVERSARY

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