www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
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by SGT WAYNE FITzGERALD PhoToS by CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN
NATO Commander visits
tHe defenCe forCeS
O
n Sunday 9th March 2014, a
memorial tribute was un-
veiled in memory of mariners
who served Ireland's waters. The Naval Association (est. 1962 and termed
An Cumann Chabhlaigh) organised and conducted the ceremony where the
memorial was revealed in front of a large gathering in Cathal brugha bks.
The inscription reads "To honour and salute all mariners who served in the
Marine Service; Marine Inscription; Naval Service; An Slua Muirí; Naval Ser-
vice Reserve".
Some of these maritime organisations existed for some iconic years before
being disbanded or reorganised and renamed: Marine Service (1939-1946),
Maritime Inscription (Reserve 1939-1947), Naval Service (1922 - present), An Slua Muirí
(1947-2007), and the Naval Service Reserve (2007 - present).
The event was organised in conjunction with the Naval Association's Annual Deceased
Members Mass where members of the Army No 1 Band played musical honours during
the ceremony, and a Guard of Honour was provided by members of the Naval Association
and members of the Dublin Unit of the Naval Service Reserve under the command of Lt
Conor Smy th provided the Honour Guard.
REPoRT by SGT WAYNE FITzGERALD
IN MEMORY OF
IRISH MARINERS
Naval Association President, Declan Pendred
with Fr Des Campion (Naval Chaplain) assisted
by Deacon Jim Fennell ( former Lt in Dublin Unit
NSR), performing the blessing of the memorial.
For more information on the Naval Association, Tel: 01 2986614, email:
navalassociation@eircom.net or visit http://homepage.eircom.net/~navalassociation/
R
ecently An Cosantóir had the pleasure of talking to Lt Gen Frederick
hodges (US Army) Commander of Allied Land Command (CoM LAN-
CoM) NATo on a visit to Ireland. on his brief, but busy visit he was
shown demonstrations of our equipment and capabilities.
After his visit, Lt Gen Hodges offered his impressions of the Irish
Defence Forces:
"This was my first visit to Ireland and I have been extremely impressed with the
overall competence, discipline and confidence of your Defence Forces. The profes-
sionalism, skill level and quality of the soldiers that I have met are exceptional.
Also the quality of the equipment and the capabilities that have been procured
and developed are impressive. This tells me that the Irish Defence Forces have
been smart in recognising that however small in number, you are capable of
delivering effective results in many places around the world, typically in Spartan
locations. I also found a real willingness to continue to participate in overseas
deployments and be a part of the international community in terms of security
and stability. It is very clear that every member of the Defence Forces that I spoke
with demonstrated a willingness and a desire to continue to be an effective and
respective part of Ireland's foreign policy in promoting peace around the world.
It has been a very uplifting experience for me to come here to understand your
capabilities and to identify with the nature of the Irish Defence Forces."
