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visit us at www.military.ie The State's Centenary Programme A s part of the government's centenary programme marking the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, Óglaigh na hÉireann - The Defence Forces -, on behalf of the citizens of Ireland, will be centrally involved in State Ceremonial Events, which will represent the formal and solemn marking of 1916. The State's Centenary programme began with the commemoration of the centenary of the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa, on 01 Au- gust 2015, which involved Óglaigh na hÉireann performing a ceremonial event. The State programme concludes on 03 August 2016, the centenary of the execution of Roger Casement in Pentonville Gaol. The two largest commitments, in terms of resources and time, which Óglaigh na hÉireann is involved in are the National Flag Project and the Easter Sunday Parade. The National Flag Project involves the delivery of a National Flag and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation to each of the circa 3,200 National Schools in the country by members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, at special flag ceremonies. This significant logistical undertaking will begin on 14th September 2015 and will conclude on 01 March 2016, in time for 'Proclamation Day' - a national event for all schools, planned to take place on 15th March 2016. Proclamation Day will begin with the raising of the national flag at all primary and post-primary schools nationwide. The inaugural Flag for Schools ceremony will take place on 14th September when Án Taoiseach formally launches the project at Cornanool National School, in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The 2016 Easter Sunday Parade, which will take place on 27th March 2016, will be the principal event for Óglaigh na hÉireann during Easter week. This parade, which will take place after the ceremony outside the GPO, will involve circa 2,500 members of Óglaigh na hÉ- ireann, with a range of military vehicles and equipment, and selected emergency services, marching along a pre designated route from St Stephens Green SOUTH past the GPO finishing at the Western Way. Planning with internal and external stakeholders is underway for all of Óglaigh na hÉireann's commitments to the 2016 Cente- nary Programme. OiC 'A' Administration Section, J1 Branch, Support Division, is the Project Leader for all aspects of Ógliagh na hÉireann's involvement in the 2016 centenary programme. Pioneers & Aviators O n the 30th of June the Air Corps hosted the Book Launch of "Pioneers & Aviators". A project by the aircraft leasing company, Avolon. The book is a gal- lery of images depicting Ireland's contribution to the story of Aviation. The book was launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. The night also saw the inaugural flight of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation. This initiative is supported by the Air Corps and aims to restore and display some of the iconic aircraft that have taken to Irish skies. P52 CONTINUES MED MISSION T he LÉ Niamh departed on 10th July for the Mediterranean and now continues the mis- sion that the LÉ Éithne had started. The LÉ Éithne had rescued 3376 people from the waters while patrolling for a month in the region. The LÉ Niamh is now patrolling the waters of the Mediterranean and continues to rescue people in distress. MINGY PRAYERBOOK T he Mingy Prayerbook has been reissued with signifi- cant additions from the original, which stood the test of time over the past 25 years. The new version includes a selection of prayers and reflections from various faith traditions. It also includes some of the stained glass from various barrack chapels. The Chaplaincy Service is currently developing an App of the Mingy Prayerbook. Details will be available via IKON or www.militarychaplaincy.ie when it is ready for download. The new issue of the Prayerbook is available from all chaplains through- out the Defence Forces and for their families. MEDICAL SERVICES CUP 2015 O n Wednesday 15th July the Medical Servic- es Cup was contested between 3 Inf Bn and 27 Inf Bn. The final took place on McDonagh Pitch in the Curragh, with final score fin- ishing at 0-16 to 1-11 with 3 Inf Bn Kilkenny coming out victorious. Pictured below is Mon- seigneur Eoin Thynne (now retired) present- ing the Medical Ser- vices Cup to Pte Rory Finn of 3 Inf Bn.

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