The Original Kennedy Cadets
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By Col William H. Gibson (Retd), 36th Cadet Class & Director Military Heritage of Ireland Trust Ltd
O
n 28th June 1963 President John Fitzgerald Kennedy visited
Arbour Hill Church and Cemetery, Dublin, to lay a wreath in
respect of Ireland's fallen heroes. This is a firsthand account
of how it happened.
I was a member of 36th Cadet Class, who participated on that
special occasion under the command of Lt Frank Colclough (later
brigadier general and GOC DFTC). We spent nearly three months rehearsing the special funeral drill for the occasion (some called it 'the
Queen Anne's drill'). After JFK went home to the US he spoke often
of our drill and a request was sent to RTÉ for a copy of their film (this
can be viewed at http://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1722-johnf-kennedy/451880-arbour-hill-wreath/?page=5) but it was found our
drill had been totally omitted from the programme.
When RTÉ realised their error they requested that we repeat the
performance at Arbour Hill. However, as our class had subsequently been commissioned on 15th July, 37th Cadet Class were given a
short period of training and filmed at Arbour Hill in our place. This
then was slotted into the original RTÉ coverage.
I acquired a copy of the photo taken during President Kennedy's
visit. I am 4th from left in the front row and it can be seen that
we were close to JFK throughout. This photo is in the Irish Photo
Archives and can be viewed at:
http://irishphotoarchive.photoshelter.com/gallery/John-F-Kennedy-at-Arbour-Hill-28-06-1963/G0000mn83PkhTVss
When JFK was sadly assassinated at Dallas on 22nd November
1963, his wife Jacqueline requested that the cadets from Ireland
would travel over to perform the drill at her husband's funeral. Fortunately, 37 th Cadet Class's short period of training was enough to
allow them to participate. Ever since they have
been known as the cadets who impressed JFK so
much at Arbour Hill. Sadly now, 50 years later,
36th Cadet Class have been all but forgotten
for providing the original drill and presentation
at Arbour Hill. It is fitting that this class is also
remembered in this anniversary year.
President Kennedy accompanied by Capt Byrne and
Col Hefferon arriving at Dublin Airport. Lt Gen Seán
McKeown's private collection and courtesy of Military Archives (IE/MA/PRCN/0002)
President Kennedy lays a wreath at the grave of
the executed 1916 leaders at Arbour Hill Cemetery.
Authors own collection.
DF Hosts International Seminar
By Lt Col Richard Brennan (Legal Officer, HQ 2 Brigade)
O
ver two days in September the Defence Forces hosted a seminar for 24 students from the Jackson School of International
Studies, University of Washington, on issues relating to peacesupport operations (PSOs), with a focus on the Defence Forces.
Every year students visit the Irish Centre for Human Rights in NUI
Galway, as part of their undergraduate programme in international
studies and this is the fourth year that the Defence Forces has participated by providing a module regarding the experiences of officers
on all phases of PSOs within the intra- and post-conflict spectrum.
The programme director, Professor Rick Lorenz, is a retired US Marine
colonel who served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) and also has
extensive overseas experience in the Middle East, the Balkans and
Africa. He is also a senior member of the Public International Law and
Policy Group (PILPG), a global pro bono law firm that provides legal assistance to states and governments with the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements, the drafting of post-conflict constitutions, and the creation and operation of war crimes tribunals.
This year's seminar saw presentations on experiences with UNMIS,
UNIFIL and EUFOR. The module also addressed issues of international humanitarian law and international criminal law. This provided a
practical narrative for the students who conclude their programme
with visits to the International Criminal Court, the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, and the International Court of Justice, all of which are
based in The Hague.
University of Washington at the Defence Forces PSO module in USAC, Galway, with Comdt Ott, Lt Col Markey, Prof
Lorenz, Lt Col Brennan and Comdt D Coakley.
University of Washington students in Collins Bks, Dublin,
with Comdt Noel Conway, Lt Col Dave Dignam, Prof Rick
Lorenz (Col USMC retd), Col Michael Campion, Lt Col Richard Brennan and Cpl Ronnie Mooney.
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
