An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 IUNVA POST 27 REPORT & PhOTOS by SGT KARL ByRNE W hen you look back at your army career, whether you're still serving or retired, you always remem- ber certain things like the friends you made, friends you've lost, overseas missions etc. you may how- ever dismiss the fact that it doesn't necessarily have to end there and look forward to think, well what next? Where can I adapt my military knowledge and expertise to move forward and make a difference? Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) Post 27 Portlaoise is such an outlet where you're previous skillsets can be utilised. As long as you are a United Nations (UN) Vet- eran you can become a member and wear the IUNVA beret. Post 27 was first established in October 2004, it now has its office permanently located in Old Mil, Portlaoise since August 2013. It started out with over 30 members attending their first AGM in January 2005 and now has 52 members and growing. Within the post there are certain members with positions of importance so as to continue the smooth and efficient running of the post, them being the President Archie Raeside, Chairman Frederick O'Reilly, Secretary Timmy Coughlan, Treasurer Peter Early, Welfare Officer Michael Thompson, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Tommy Mooney, Parade Marshall Jimmy Shiels, House Manager Tony 'Barney' Flanagan and not forgetting the Daily Secretary Therese Greene who works in the office Monday - Friday from 10 - 2pm. Before they got their permanent office in Old Mil they previ- ously had to hold their meetings in a variety of different places such as John Egan's restaurant, the RDF hall and even out in the Birch- wood community centre in Knockmay. The members of Post 27 had a UN memo- rial erected locally in Peace Park, not far from the post in honour of all those who gave their lives in the service of world peace with the UN. The mem- bers have also done plenty of work with the council, some of which was helping to clean out a section of the local Triogue River, the painting of three houses for pensioners in Portlaoise Town and even helping to rehouse one of its own members after a house fire. Speaking with a variety of the members of Post 27 it was clear that everything about the post is positive, from the work they do with the council to the help they do with the local community. As each member will tell you 'their door is always open' whether you're a civilian off the street, a serving soldier or just in need of some help. Talking to the house manager Barney Flanagan, who also had a big part to play in getting their current office, any of Post 27 services are available to anyone, whether it be their phones, computers (which were donated by ANSAC Credit Union), internet or if you just want to call in to talk to someone. Members range from men in their 30s to 70s, which may seem like a big age gap but from talking with these men, age is nothing, your service in the army has no bearing on your position within the post, all are treated equally and previous rank isn't considered an issue. The one major thing that resonates through its members is the friendship and comradeship that exists between its members. The monthly meetings are always looked forward to and it's a great time to catch up with old friends, meeting with soldiers you may have served with home or overseas. The stories each soldier had to tell varied from harrowing experiences in the likes of the Congo (ONUC) and Lebanon (UNIFIL) to the humanitarian work done in Rwanda under severe security and health risks. No matter where a member served they all bring something from their experiences, everyone has a story to tell, both good and bad, some wishing they could forget and others never wanting to forget. For these men, sharing their experi- ences within the walls of Post 27 is what they love most about going to the meetings. The future for Post 27 can only be bright, with the assis- tance and work they offer to the local community, member- ship levels always increasing, and the fact that the doors of Post 27 are always open to anyone in need of assistance. The members can hold their heads up high and be proud of IUNVA Post 27 and what it stands for 'Serving our Soldiers Past and Present'. UN memorial in Peace Park erected on 16th November 2008 Archie Raeside, Joe McEvoy and Dennis Farrell (All Congo) Walter Tobin (Cyprus/Sinai Desert Egypt/ Iraq) and John Molloy (Cyprus/Sinai Desert Egypt/Lebanon) Post 27 members having their monthly meeting

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