An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | Veterans Day O n Sunday 25th May, Limerick hosted the first ever International Veterans Day Parade to be held in Ireland. There have been many congregations of veterans over the years but this was the first time that they have been giv- en the honour to parade in full colour through the streets of Limerick. This extraor- dinary event was organised by The Patrick Sarsfield Branch of Oglaigh Naisiunta na hEireann – The Organisation of National Ex-servicemen & Women (ONE). Mr Gerry Enright, branch president described the day as "an honour for the city of Limerick and in this year as the city of culture it is our delight to have the first such prestigious international event being held here." Some of those who paraded were: ONE Branches from all over Ireland, The Naval Association, Irish United Nations Veterans Association, The French Foreign Legion Association of Ireland, The RAF Association of Ireland, The American Legion, The Royal British Legion, UNIFIL Sweden, UNIFIL Norway, 2 FARA Association, Keelagh (Irish Wolfhound), Polish Veterans Association, The Irish Legion and over 150 private individuals on behalf of deceased parents / grandparents along with the Band of 1 Bde. O n 2nd April 2014, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD visited the Irish United Na- tions Veterans Association (IUNVA), Post 27 in Portlaoise. The minister was accompanied by Senator Loraine Higgins, Senator John Whelan and Councillor Lisa Delaney. The visitors were met by Branch Chairman, Fred O'Reilly, who made the introductions to the branch members. Senator Whelan's father was a member of Post 27 but has sadly passed away some years ago. The minister was also introduced to retired members of An Garda Síochána and Seirbhís Phríosúin na hÉireann (the Irish Prison Service). The minister was introduced to branch member Archie Raeside who served in the Congo, who presented the minister with a copy of his book, 'The Congo – 1960, The First Irish United Nations Peacekeepers'. The minister then thanked all those pres- ent for their service to the nation. By P. CANNING, SECRETARy POST 27 MINISTER BuRTON VISITS IuNVA POST 27 By PAUL SHEEHAN, PATRICK SARSFIELD BRANCH ONE PhOTOS DECLAN FITzGERALD

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