An Cosantóir

16 | fence Forces have contributed over 60,000 trips to missions around the globe, with many indi- the backbone of the association. At present there are 15 posts, each with their own chairman, secretary, treasurer, PR and wel- fare officer, and its own flag, designed by its members. These posts work with the association's president, deputy president, and National Executive Committee who have overall responsi- bility for the association. In over 50 years of UN peacekeeping members of the De- its central focus being on helping people who have served over- seas and their families when they encounter problems. This is achieved by supporting veterans and their families, and people who have lost loved ones in the service of their country. A number of IUNVA posts exist around the country, forming tion that is much admired and respected throughout the coun- try. Membership, which now stands at 800, is open to anyone who has completed a tour of duty with the UN. This means that in addition to members of the Defence Forces, IUNVA also includes members of An Garda Síochána and civilian person- nel, making it an all-encompassing association that covers all aspects of UN overseas service. IUNVA has a constitution and a number of objectives, with orn in 1989 out of a desire to represent those who had volunteered to serve overseas, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) has become an organisa- IUNVA B BY CPL PAUL MILLAR A Beginner's Guide UNVETS 1991 An Cosantóir July/August 2012 www.dfmagazine.ie mission areas but also to events organised by fellow repre- sentative associations around the world. Galway's Post 30 contributions and fundraising events organised by members. In addition, members have always found the time to raise money for worthy causes, particularly in their local areas. As an ex- ample, in recent years the members of Post 20 (Mullingar) have raised over €70,000 for local charities, and this kind of activity is replicated in many other posts. Excursions are a core activity for IUNVA, not just to former second Sunday in November has become an important occa- sion on IUNVA's calendar. This ceremony has grown through the years and is now regularly attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, members of the General Staff, An Garda Síochána, ONET, the Civil Defence, the Irish Guards Association, the Naval Association and representatives of the three services of the Defence Forces. The participation of the local community in this ceremony is a sign of the enduring support for IUNVA among the people that live close by and a symbol of the esteem in which the association is held, indeed the move into Arbour House was made possible by a committee of local people that lobbied for funding to restore the building. This resulted in the official opening of the UN Memorial Garden there by President Mary McAleese in 1998. From 2013, this ceremony will be held on the nearest Sunday to UN Day, the 29th May each year. Funding is sourced through membership fees, voluntary emonies at home and abroad, often returning to the sites of former missions and battles to remember those who served, fought, and sometimes died, there. The annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arbour House on the this can be seen in the support that it receives from the general public for its various fund-raising activities. And this support does not come solely from individuals; for example, in 1991 Aer Rianta generously sponsored the association flag that was used in an IUNVA ceremony at Dublin Airport, where the vast major- ity of Irish troops departed for overseas. Members of IUNVA participate in various parades and cer- viduals carrying out multiple trips. The pride in, and recognition of, this service is very important to IUNVA, with the construc- tion and upkeep of various memorials throughout the country. The association is well respected throughout the country and

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