An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 5 Manager Comdt Colin Lawlor info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist: Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Cpl Neville Coughlan photo@military.ie 045 44 5307 Subscriptions Cpl Kelly Gallagher +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information: Cpl Lynn Ryan admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover Pictured is DF Instructor Sgt Mark Lane serving with EUTM Mali by Cpl Neville Coughlan.. For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello and welcome to our December/January double issue; 48 pages with 18 individual stories covering all aspects of military life. We hope you like our free 2017 wallpanner, designed by Sgt Karl Byrne, and we also have our 2017 diaries and notebooks now on sale too. The always-popular On Parade photos start us off this month before In Focus looks at the recent reunion of 21 Platoon, Army Apprentice School, and the 29 Inf Bn Association, who are still carrying their flag since the unit was stood down in '98. We have news of our veterans in with our feature on the inaugural Veterans Gala Ball held in Dublin's Green Isle Hotel in August. Next, our front-cover article covers the EU Training Mission in Mali, which is only in its third year but has already made significant progress. Our second major feature, 70th Birthday Salute to the Naval Service, by CPO/ERA Ruairí de Barra, is augmented by a NS poster in our Connect newsletter. Hot on its heels, pardon the pun, is White Lanyard Walk, reporting on members of units that previously served in Magee Bks, Kildare, who walked to the Glen of Imall on the 18th anniversary of the closing of the barracks. In our strategic review article, Mali: Back from the Brink, Paul O'Brien follows up on his 2013 EMPA award-winning article on Mali, before CQMS Mike Barrett reports from Fort Davis for our Reserves feature on Exercise 'Belt Buckle', which was conducted by the NCOTW in early October. Our centre spread consists of an exclusive look at a short graphic novel sample on the birth of the Irish Republic, designed by artist Danny Coyne and written by military historian, Paul O'Brien. Our next article, A Historic Accolade: The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal, written by Comdt Stephen Mac Eoin (OiC Military Archives) and RDF Comdt Lar Joye (Soldiers & Chiefs Exhibition, National Museum of Ireland). This is followed by Defending with Pride, which looks at the recent launch of the Defence Forces' LGBTA Network. After this, Pte Peter McGuinness (27 Inf Bn) rallies the troops in The Spirit of Castleblaney, which is followed by a 1916-related piece on the New Flagpole for the DFTC, by Capt Emmet Gallagher. Our first history feature James Scannell looks at the little known story of Submarine Involvement at Pearl Harbour in 1941. Our second is Courage, Valour, and the Hound of Culann, in which Jonny Dillon looks at the life and death of the legendary Cú Chulainn and how his image was central to the Irish nationalist movement of the early 20th century. The colourful 2017 CISM Triathlon held in Luxembourg in September decorates our sports pages, and we also have our regular Gear Up, Noticeboard, Reviews, and What I Do features. Finally, check out our competitions and results on pages 43 and 44. Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald - Editor Can you help find our hero? Gráinne Burrows was sitting in KFC on the Childers Rd, Limerick, on Friday 11th November when her two children noticed a soldier. They asked her if they could go and thank him for keeping them safe, an idea she has impressed on them from a young age. The anonymous soldier was very polite and smiled as he finished his lunch. When he was leaving he handed Gráinne a receipt for two ice-creams that he had bought for her children – An act, Gráinne says, "that was greatly appreciated!" Gráinne wanted to share what happened next as it shows the effect small kindnesses can have. Her son, Donnchadh (4) said to her: "Mom you are right about soldiers; all soldiers are super heroes. All super heroes are gentlemen and that man was a gentlemen and a super hero. The first step to being a superhero must be to be a gentleman!" To the soldier, Gráinne says: "You have made my life a little easier, and made me a little prouder of our servicemen today. Le gach dea ghuí! (With every good wish)"

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