An Cosantóir

AN C O S AN T Ó I R Augu s t 2 0 0 5 23 COMMISSIONING This year's commissioning ceremony took place in the Curragh on July 4th. The members of 80 Cadet Class received their commissions from the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O'Dea TD. An Cosantóir journalist Wesley Bourke went along on the day to speak to some of the newly commissioned officers… All photos: Armn Billy Galligan T he people of the United States celebrate July 4th as Independence Day, and most likely they were joined in their celebrations this year by the 49 members of 80 Cadet Class who finished their cadetships on that day and were commissioned as officers into the Defence Forces. After 21 months of tough training in the Cadet School this would be a day like no other for the young men and women who had put so much work into reaching this day. The commissioning was a colourful and impres- sive ceremony, with music being provided by the Defence Forces No1 Band, and a guard of honour provided by 81 Cadet Class. Each officer cadet was called out by name and marched forward in ranks to the Colours, where the oath of commissioning was taken. The cadets were then invested with the rank of 2/Lt and received their swords. Each then received their presidential com- mission, which was presented by the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O'Dea, TD. Minister O'Dea spoke of his pride as Minister of Defence in being able to attend the commissioning ceremony on the Curragh. "Each annual commission- ing ceremony," Mr O'Dea said, "marks the coming of age of a new generation of leaders…As newly com- missioned officers, you have just taken an oath that pledges each one of you to be faithful to the Irish "As newly commissioned officers, you have just taken an oath that pledges each one of you to be faithful to the Irish nation and the constitution." Independence Day 00-An Cos-AUG-05 (20-30) 16/8/05 4:50 pm Page 23 FROM THE ARCHIVES AN COSANTÓIR VOLUME 65 ISSUE 06, AUGUST 2005; CONNECT NEWSLETTER VOL 4, ISSUE 7, JULY 2000

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