An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | by LIAM NOLAN, IUNVA POST 25, FERMOy Veterans Day in Collins Barracks This is an abridged version of Liam's letter following the Veteran's Day Parade in Collins bks Cork, were 2,500 veterans, families and serving personnel attended. Thanks to the Defence Forces for giving us old soldiers a day to remember on Veterans Day the 12th September last. On 14th January 1957 I first ventured inside the main gates of Collins Bks with my two friends, Seanie Hull and Pakie Flood and JJ O'Connor followed a week later. I would quite honestly say it was the most intimidating thing I had ever done in my life and I'm sure my three friends felt the same way. 58 years later I was back in Collins Bks, did I ever think it could be pos- sible, not in my wildest dreams. When I joined the Defence Forces it never entered my mind that one day a re- quest from the UN for Irish troops to take part in peacekeeping missions abroad. When it did happen in July 1960 every soldier from the Chief of Staff down was overwhelmed. The UN didn't want troops in 2-months, they wanted them ASAP. Within 3-weeks the 32 and 33 Inf Bn totalling in excess of 1,300 men plus a Bde HQ known as 9 Brigade were deployed to the former Belgian Congo. Lt Gen Sean MacEoin, Defence Forces Chief of Staff was appointed as Force Commander ONUC from January 1961 - March 1962. This was a tremendous honour for the Irish Defence Forces. On 12th September 2015, as we assembled in the NCOs Mess for refreshments on Veterans Day the first person I met was my platoon sergeant from those halcyon days with the 32 Inf Bn. Just as we were exchanging stories another 32 Bn veteran joined us. We agreed it was difficult to imagine the experiences that happened 55-years-ago and we were now sharing, and how lucky we were to have the good fortune to be here on this special day. It's nice to know the DF ap- preciates the sacrifices and effort of the 6,141 soldiers who served in Congo. 26 of who lost their lives and Tpr Pat Mullins, 1 Motor Sqn still remains MIA. Our presence helped bring a peace of sorts to the areas we served in, while hostilities were an everyday occurrence between the different warring factions with extreme poverty, starvation and plundering everywhere. It was incred- ible that a country with so much natural minerals and wealth could be so dysfunctional. A very nice female officer was assigned to us; she outlined the programme for the day. Following mass in the garrison church we were shown to seats for the Vets not parading, it was nice to be made a fuss of and treated as a VIP for the day. The personnel on parade were drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Corps in addition to the 1 Bde brass and pipe bands. The veterans were made up of parties of 30 person- nel each from IUNVA, ONET and ARCO. Minister of Defence Simon Coveney TD laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Nation and the veteran associations laid three more. Overall it was a wonderful emotional day greatly appreciated by all who attended. Today's DF is one of the most respected in the world for the simple reason we empathise with the people in whose country we're serving. We supply much needed assistance such as medical and central care. In some cases we have set up orphan- ages and try to resolve conflicts. But we're not just respected overseas, our Defence Forces has never been found lacking when called upon to assist in the many situa- tions outside its remit. People do appreciate the role of our Defence Forces. Pictured are 2 Congo veterans enjoying the Veterans Day at Collins Bks: Liam Nolan with 3 Congo tours 32, 37 Inf Bns and 3 Armd Car Sqdn and Dan Clancy with 2 Congo tours 35 Inf Bn and 3 Armd Car Sqdn. Bet they had Mingi (Swahili for plenty, mingi years before UNIFIL) yarns to swap. The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney TD lays a wreath in honour of deceased members of the Defence Forces, with an honour guard drawn from 1 BAR. The Minister Coveney along with Brig Gen Philip Brennan, GOC 1 Bde with DF veterans. L/R Mossey Geary, Michael Kelly and Liam Nolan. Photos by: Barry McCarthy, Press Office, 1 Bde HQ

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