An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir October 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS by CON LEIGH, IRISH UNIFIL ASSOCIATION Veterans Day O n the last Saturday of June each year Dutch military veteran organisations organise a Veterans Day event in the Malieveld in the hague (Den haag). the Irish UNIFIL Association, which is twinned with the Dutch UNIFIL Association due to us being close neighbours in Lebanon for so long, have been guests at the event since 2005. We have also attended the Freedom Celebrations, which fall on 4-5 May each year, celebrating the end of Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. This year six members of the Association and three spouses/ partners travelled to the Veterans Day event from Dublin, Cork and Edinburgh. At Schiphol Airport we were issued with return rail tickets to The Hague, courtesy of the Dutch UNIFIL Association. The weekend got off to a good start with a meet-and-greet session at the Piper in Den Haag on the Friday, where we had catch-up and introduction evening with our Dutch friends. On Saturday 25th, at around 1100hrs, we met up with our Dutch brothers and sisters, introduced to some new and old friends, and given complimentary food and drink vouchers to sustain us through the day's event. Our first call was to the UNIFIL shop, where one could pur- chase an array of UNIFIL/UN items of clothing, 'mingies', etc. The Malieveld, which is a huge open area close to the Central Station, was decked out with a multitude of stalls represent- ing all elements of the Dutch armed forces and veterans associations. There were displays of weapons and equipment, climbing walls for kids, and even a full orchestra and stage where vari- ous performers entertained the estimated 80,000 crowd in attendance that day. After informal introductions to members of various veterans associations, the main RV point for UNIFILers was at the check- point position set up in the centre of the Malieveld. At 1200hrs the various veterans groups, comprising almost 5,000 personnel, were fell-in on the roadside facing into the city. There were men and women representing campaign organisa- tions stretching from the old Dutch East In- dies to Afghanistan. Another body on parade was com- prised of serving members of the Dutch army, navy and air force, kit- ted out with full pack and weapons. The various groups were led off by bands, many of them pipe bands as these are very popular at mili- tary events in Holland. As each group set off march- ing, it was great to see all the other groups give them a rousing clap and a cheer as a sign of respect for their service. Indeed, one of the most outstanding memories one brings away from this event is the respect and esteem that Dutch civil- ians have for their veter- ans, young and old. The parade generally takes about an hour-and- a-half to circle the city and the salute is taken by King Willem-Alexander who later visits the Malieveld where he greets as many veterans group as he can. (In 2010 some of our group got to speak with the then Prince Willem.) After the UNIFIL group (this year numbering 115) returned to the Malieveld we took the traditional group photo and then the chat and few sociable drinks began as we met guys from the early days in Lebanon and swapped Irish an Dutch 'mingies'. As usual the day finished up at the Pancake House, just at the entrance to the Malieveld, where one can sample a wide variety of Dutch pancakes, and of course some more beers. The sing- song and the banter went on until around 2100hrs and then it was on to some Irish pub in the city for a few sundowners. We had a great trip and we certainly look forward to next year's Veteranendag in Den Haag in 2017. the irish uniFil association is open to anyone with uniFil service. Family members can also apply for associate group membership. details can be found on our Facebook page, or email us at iua46leb@gmail.com in Den Haag, Netherlands Irish UNIFIL Association members who travelled to The Hague (L/R): Larry Dorgan (Cork), Austin Gavin (Athlone), Martin Byrne (Glenrothes, Scotland), PJ Walsh (Waterford), Jodie Power (Waterford) and Con Leigh (Clare).

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