An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | by JOHN WADE, SECRETARy, IUNVA POST 32, KERRy Iunva PoSt 32 P ost 32 Kerry is now in its fifth year as an Irish United Nations Veter- ans Association (IUNVA) Post. Tom bermingham, the post chairman since they started, initially made contact with other UN veterans in Tralee and the surrounding areas and a meeting was held in the Kerins O'Rahilly GAA Clubhouse in July 2010. IUNVA's National Secretary, Dan Garland, and National Development Officer, Charlie Mott, both attended and briefed the assembled veterans on the organisation. Following the briefing, most veterans signed up. They now have 25 members who are either serving or retired and our membership is drawn from members of the Permanent Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, and we have a few of members working abroad, who pay their annual fees and want to remain associated with IUNVA in Kerry. The Post meets regularly and discusses any topic relevant to our aims and objectives. Members have also made overseas trips to Normandy and have recently taken part in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Boston. One of our mem- bers, John Wade, took up an invitation to take part in this year's St Patrick's Day Parade in Cabo Roig, Spain and, as a follow-up to that, more Post 32 IUNVA members will be travelling over there for that parade next year. The Committee in Cabo Roig have extended an open invitation to all IUNVA members to travel over and to take part in the parade, which is the largest parade in Europe outside of Ireland. The event is organised by the local Irish community and, they have three former members of the De- fence Forces on their committee, who have all seen service in Lebanon and Iran/ Iraq. Several years on since its inception by local military enthusiasts, the Listowel Military Tattoo, which is held annually on the May Bank Holiday weekend, continues to grow in strength and popularity. Post 32 members again took part in this year's parade and wreath laying ceremony at the town square where, along with the American Legion, the Royal British Legion, the Irish Legion, the French Foreign Legion of Ireland and VIPs, laid a wreath on behalf of IUNVA. Post 32 held their first 'Flag Day' in Tralee in 2014, which were very thank- ful and are particularly mindful of those many members of the public who said: "Thank you for the service you have given to our country and for your work overseas". We never expect praise for doing our duty, but it was heart- warming to receive such recognition for what we do at home and for what we have done, and continue to do, internationally in the service of peace. Post 32 understands that members cannot always attend every meeting but there is an overwhelming wish by all of our members to be associated with and to be part of what we stand for. It is impossible to close this article without mentioning our esteemed colleague John O'Mahony, survivor of that infamous Battle of At Tiri in Leb- anon in April 1980, when we lost our comrades, Ptes Derek Smallhorne and Thomas Barrett, may they rest in peace. John is a proud member of IUNVA, and it's our privilege to know him and we trust justice will prevail and bring closure to all the families, friends and comrades, affected by the events of that fateful day. Cabo Roig 2015 IUNVA POST 32 BOSTON St.Patrick's Day 2015 Post 32 members pictured at the Boston St Patrick's Day, Listowel Military Tattoo and Cabo Roig Parades. Post 32 members pictured at graves in Normandy in 2014 and features L/R: Tom Bermingham (Chairman) John O'Connor (Treasurer), Joe Hanley, John Gilbert and Alan Hanafin (Director of Ceremonies). We would ask all UN veterans out there who are interested in becoming a member of IUNVA Post 32, Kerry, to contact the Post Secretary, John Wade, on 086 8033121. There are IUNVA Posts nationwide, please feel free to contact John who will be happy to put you in contact with the Post nearest to you or visit http://iunva.ie/iunva_posts.html.

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