An Cosantóir

41 support to veterans. Much of the work being a collaborative effort, between all, to quietly assist those veterans who need it. He encourages any veteran to reach out, the ONE is here for them, because "…as well as remembrance we also provide assistance to veterans. We provide food hampers at Christmas and Easter and other times as necessary. Our branch welfare officer is Jimmy Losty, former PSS NCO in Haulbowline. As with all such services confidentially is a prerequisite, and guaranteed." The Irish Naval Association is another independent group who, under their current President Bryan Gildea (Lt (NSR) Rtd.), provide an outlet for veterans. A life less ordinary We asked Dermot to tell us about his own journey; he describes having a connection to the military from childhood, "From a young age I was always interested in the Army. Having grown up listening to stories of my grandparents, who were involved in the war of independence, plus my uncle who was in the Air Corps as an apprentice." Military life began in 1977 when he "…started my career in September as an apprentice electrician. I spent three years in Naas, combining military and trade training. I passed out 3rd July 1980, a bittersweet moment, as my parents were not at my passing out. My dad passed away on 4th July about an hour after I arrived home. I was posted to the Naval Service as an apprentice electrical artificer. A big change to go from green to blue." A ton class Minesweeper was Dermot's first posting in 1980. It was there on LÉ Grainne, that as Dermot describes it that "…my love of the sea was born. At that time, the Naval Service was unheard of outside of Cobh or the coastal towns. Indeed, a lot of people did not even know we had a Naval Service. I didn't until I was posted to it. "I spent a lot of my early years in the NS on the Minesweepers, LÉ Grainne and LÉ Fola until their decommissioning in 1986. It became a matter of pride coming to the end of the sweepers to get them out for one more patrol." Having had such a wide and varied career at sea, and having served on eight different ships, we asked Dermot what were the some of the most memorable occasions. He says that "One of the highlights of my career was when I was posted to LÉ Eithne in June 1986. She was NS ship to transit the North Atlantic. We made our first port of call in Bermuda and then on to New York for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty. We were the last surface ship to enter New York Harbour and took the salute from approximately 45 other naval ships from around the world. A proud moment as the Irish Navy took its place among the navies of the world. I still remember that trip even though it was over 35 years ago." Another highlight for Dermot was the much loved and storied NS pipe band, "I started playing drums with the Thomas Davis Pipe Band in Mallow when I was 10. I was one of the first to join the newly formed Naval Service Pipe Band. The highlight of the band's short life was winning the Defence Force Pipe Band Championship in 1996. The band was disbanded shortly after that." Cobh Veterans Support Centre Today, ONE is a veteran's organisation, a registered charity for all veterans of the Defence Forces, a company limited by guarantee (CLG) and an approved housing body (AHB). Its primary objective is to support the needs of Irish veterans - by the provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in its Veterans' Hostels - and the provision of other advice and support to veterans through its nationwide network of Branches and Veterans' Support Centres. ONE's services are available to all veterans, the women and men of the Defence Forces. They also facilitate homeless veterans from other countries living in Ireland from time to time. ONE currently provides accommodation (board and lodging) for approximately 49 veterans, who otherwise would be homeless, in its three residential homes in Athlone, Dublin and Letterkenny. ONE has created a nationwide network of Veteran's Support Centres (VSC) based around its 36 Branches. ONE is developing a 5-bedroom hostel in Cobh to address the increasing challenge of homelessness among veterans. This will be followed by a 6-bedroom facility in Cork City, leading to the availability of more single rooms for homeless veterans. Dermot says that 'Cobh and Cdr Crosbie branches will be running the VSC in Cobh jointly, ensuring that there will always be someone there to provide assistance when required.' One of its biggest fundraisers is the annual Fuschia Collection. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this vital source of fundraising has been unable to take place. Dermot, speaking to The Journal, said that 'Everyone knows what the British Legion poppy is. We're trying to promote what the Fuschia is.' Best wishes In offering his congratulations to all serving sailors, veterans and their families, on the occasion of the anniversary, Dermot says that "In a career that spanned 21 years I thoroughly enjoined my service life. I had good times and bad times but the good times far outweigh the bad. I made lifelong comrades that I'm still in contact with from my first day in Naas in 1977. Civilians have friends, we have comrades." REMEMBER THOSE WHO SERVED Deirdre Carbery (Capt Rtd), ONE Gender, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor. The colours of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. Incoming ONE President Dermot Higgins The Fuchsia Appeal is ran annually, and its watchword is 'Cuimhnímis'.backroll into the water

• Cover