An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 A Mother's Tale By SElINE lOuGhMAN W hen you have a child with special needs certain people enter your lives and show such kindness that it can take your breath away and really restore your faith in humanity. That is exactly what we, 15 parents and our children, experienced in lourdes last May. We and our children, some who had recently overcome life threatening illness, others facing daily physical, emotional and intellectual challenges, were so fortunate to be part of the military pilgrimage 2017. We spent six wonderful days in Lourdes where we experienced such kindness, warmth of spirit and compassion. Every detail had been anticipated and taken care of and not a stone left unturned to ensure that each and every child and parent was totally looked after. It can often be very difficult to spend quality time alone with your child with special needs, having fun and simply enjoying each other's company. Other children, partners, jobs and life's daily stressors take over. Often it may be only when your child is in hospital that you get to really spend one-to-one time together. In Lourdes we all got to really enjoy being with our children. The pomp and ceremony of the pipe band, the march- ing soldiers, the fun at the children's party, the sense of peace and tranquillity during the ceremonies and, of course, the nightly singing concerts, were all wonderful. This trip was all about the children and for the children. We, the parents, are so grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity and come away with special memories that will remain with us forever, and we are all fully committed to two years of fundraising to give other parents the op- portunity to experience Lourdes as we did. To the hardworking, relentless com- mittee who made it possible, the biggest and most heartfelt thank you. Thanks also to the wonderful cadets who joined in with the children and pushed the wheel- chairs and buggies during the parades; to the chaplains who made the Masses and religious ceremonies personal and poignant; to the pipe band; and to the military personnel and the other pilgrims in the Curragh group who shared their pilgrimage with us. And last, but certainly not least, a special thank you to the very special Tom Cooper, our nightly enter- tainer who gave each and every child such individual attention during the sing-along sessions, often playing the same songs over and over and over again!!! "Don't stop believing..." (Woof! Woof!) To our children, we love you and thank you because without you none of this could have ever happened. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. a First timer's view By CPl ENDA MCGRATh (PIPER) A s a first timer to lourdes, I didn't really know what to expect. yes you hear all the stories from people who go most years, but to experience it first hand was amazing. I couldn't get over the level of respect pilgrims showed each other. As we piped our national colours through the town, pilgrims of every nationality would stop and salute the flag. The opening ceremony in the underground basilica was unbe- lievable as every contingent marched their flag into the basilica. It was only then that I realised how many military forces from around the world were represented at the pilgrimage. After the ceremony, all the bands played a quick tune as they exited the basilica. The acoustics in there were fantastic. Saturday was the longest day for us as we had a lot of gigs. I was honoured to be asked to play a lament at a wreath-laying ceremony in Cimetière de Langelle, the town cemetery, where a lot of Irish pilgrims are buried. Another highlight of the trip for me was preforming Highland Cathedral with the British brass band that was staying in the hotel next to ours. Lourdes is a wonderful place, full of friendly and welcoming people and I hope to return there with the pipe band in the future. what they said "The ceremonies by the Chaplaincy generated a great sense of com- munity amongst us all." - Brig Gen Joe Mulligan, GOC DFTC "I'd like to go again next year for the 60th anniversary." - Louise Foster, Blackhorse Ave, Dublin "It was another truly amazing journey. A huge 'thank you' to the Chaplaincy and the DF." - Col John Courtney (retd) "Savage pilgrimage, yet again!" - Brian Gillen, Civil Defence. "What a wonderful experience!" - Maj Gen Kieran Brennan, DCOS Ops "A real privilege for the cadets; they gained so much." - Lt Col Ian Byrne, Military College To find out about how to travel with the 60th International Military Pilgramige to lourdes 2018 contact the office of the head Chaplain to the Forces, DFhQ, McKee Bks, ph: 01 804 2637/2638 or visit www.militarychaplaincy.ie The DF Pipe Band. Photo: Lacaze Brig Gen Joeseph Mulligan, GOC DFTC, Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD, Maj Gen Keiran Brennan, DCOS Ops, Fr Seamus Madigan HCF with the DF Pipe Band Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD, Maj Gen Keiran Brennan, DCOS Ops with Fr Brian Whelan CF and 2-3 Star Privates, from the 12 Inf Bn. Photo: Fr Madigan HCF

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