An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 23 By sheer coincidence, our place in Easter Sun- day's parade was directly behind the '1963 Congo group'; I was figuratively walking in the footsteps of my uncle and his comrades! Further ahead still, those men and women soon bound for the Golan Heights were a reminder of Ireland's con- tinuing contribution to UN peacekeeping. Two of my father's brothers served in the Irish Army and Naval Service whereas two of his uncles previously served with the British Royal Navy during WWII. The complex subject of Irishmen fighting under both flags during 1916 is examined in scenes detailed in Brendan Kelly's book, 'He Lost Himself Completely' (2014), in which Kelly details the poetic tragedy of shots being fired between Volunteers and British soldiers through the gates of Richmond War Hospital, a location in which many Irishmen were recuper- ating from psychological trauma (or 'shell shock' as it was then called) suffered while serving in the trenches of the Western Front. The parade took place less than two weeks after I had accepted a job as a psychologist with Combat Stress, a charity supporting British armed forces personnel similarly affected by recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even amidst the joy of the day, I tried not to lose sight of the wounds – both physical and psycho- logical – surely suffered by many of those who fought and survived. The crowds who came out to watch the pa- rade were ten-deep at some points and they ap- plauded and cheered loudly. It was a day for the Irish people and one of relatively few on which they could gain a clear sense of the discipline, pride, and capacity of their own Defence Forces, permanent and reserve. No fewer than 50 RDF members from 7 Inf Bn participated; a clear testament to the emerging success of the single-force concept of today's Defence Forces – and perhaps a fitting tribute to the Volunteers of 1916. But my experiences of the day, as well as the rich tapestry of the Rising's meaning and effects within generations of my fam- ily, are only part of the story. Many serving today have ancestors to whom, likewise, the Rising was significant in shaping the paths of their lives. For example CQMS Noel Montgomery (7 Inf Bn), when issuing us with our '93 Lebanon uniforms, informed us that two of his uncles had fought in the Rising; one of whom, Tom Crimmins, is credited as being the last man to leave the GPO. "It was a memorable experience to be part of a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportu- nity [to commemorate an event] that my two great grandfathers fought in 100 years ago. It was an honour to walk the streets that my great grandfathers once walked." – Pte Craig Lawlor "The parade allowed me to pay tribute to my great grandfather who fought in the War of Independence and was a member of the Free State Army." – Pte Liam Lundon "The priceless privilege to be able to honour those who paid the ultimate price for this country is something that cannot be compared. I will always cherish my involvement in these commemorations. That feeling of walking down O'Connell Street is something that I will hold onto forever." – Pte thomas o'Mahony "Taking part in the Centennial Parade was important to me as my great grand- father, Tobias Breslin, fought in the 1916 rising. Fortunately, he survived and went on to be a 2nd Lt during 'The Emergency' in the 1940's. It was a great privilege to march down O'Connell Street representing my unit and my family." – Pte Laura Hayden "As a volunteer soldier myself, to march down O'Connell Street under the eyes of the President and the relatives of people who fought during Easter Week was a huge honour. To represent the organisation and the nation in this historical event was an unforgettable experience." – Pte Simon Fitzhugh "As an Irishman and a soldier, it was an honour to be able to commemorate, and pay respects to, the men and women who not only fought and died in 1916, but who sowed the seeds for what would become the Ireland we know today and also the Irish Defence Forces." – Pte Steve burke "Throughout the lead up to Easter Sunday for the past few months has been a very positive experience for me and one that I had been looking forward to within the past year. Although not ethnically Irish but born here, I have never felt as proud or connected to Ireland as I did marching down O'Connell Street repre- senting the country that has adopted my spirit." – Cpl Anthony Cheung "Níl focail agam chun ceartais a dhéanamh don mothú ollmhór bróid a bhraith mé fhéin agus mo theaghlach de bharr mo rannpháirtíocht i gComórtha na Cásca agus chuile a léiríonn sé . Bhí mothúchán bróid agus meas d'Óglaigh na hÉireann le brath ón lucht féachana ar feadh iomlan an bhealaigh. Bhí éifeacht an tionscnamh Bratacha sna Scoileanna le feiceáil gosoiléir ar Sráid an Dáma nu- air a thánamar ar grúpa páistí óga ag canadh Amhrán na bhFiann dúinn agus ag croitheadh a gcuid Bratacha Náisiúnta. Fíor am le thocht a mhothú id' scórnach." "Words do not do justice to the immense sense of pride that both I and my family felt from my participation in the Easter Commemoration celebrations and all it represents. There was a palpable sense of pride and respect for Óglaigh na hÉireann from the spectators all along the route. The effect of the 'Flags for Schools' initiative was particularly evident on Dame St. when we passed a group of young children singing Amhrán na bhFiann to us and waving their National Flags. A real lump-in-your-throat moment." – Lt Antóine o'beoláin yeats' own poignant words remind us of the tragedy and sacrifice of so many that fateful week 100 years ago. Having witnessed, however, the pride and love expressed by the Irish people on Easter Sunday 2016, I cannot help but be- lieve that the dreams of those who died have since been realised by the living.

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