An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 9 By SGT WAyNE FITzGERAlD PhoToS SGT MICK BuRKE N early a year ago Ms Sarah Cronin, a teacher in holy Family NS, Rathcoole, contacted the Air Corps to see if they could help to set up a time capsule in the school for the next 50 years. on foot of a positive response the project was undertaken by Sgt Ciaran 'zulu' Byrne and his team of Sgt Paul Nor- ton, Armn Ruarí Gaynor, Armn Gary Griffin and Noel lennon in No 4 Sp Wing. As the time capsule was to be on display Zulu wanted something that would look plausible to the children, so he asked them to draw their ideas of how it should look. Among the drawings they received there were 15 drawings that looked like the spaceship from a Wallace and Gromit movie, so Zulu chose the spaceship as inspiration for the time capsule. With the help of Gabriel Harding, who provided stainless steel at cost, and C&C Laser Services, who cut all the shapes, and with a soup ladle from Baldonnel's cook- house for a nose cone and 2017 spot-welds to mark the year, the spaceship time cap- sule took shape. The engraved plate that sealed the selected items into the capsule was secured with four bolts engraved 'N', 'S', 'E' and 'W'. The Air Corps also put a TDR transponder into the capsule so it can always be located for the next 50 years. On November 15th the time capsule was unveiled at the school by Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and In- novation, Frances Fitzgerald, and GOC Air Corps Brig Gen Seán Clancy. Teacher Noel Gavin was the MC for the unveiling and guided the 704 children into position in the assembly hall with military discipline and precision to await the VIPs. Principal Colm Byrne thanked the Air Corps and also Ms Cronin for all the work she had done on the project. "Thank you on behalf of the school… to have this for 50 years has caused great excitement for both the adults and the children, it's also a great link to have with the Air Corps." In turn, Ms Cronin said it was a "massive day" and that a lot of people had said 'yes', from her fellow teachers to the suppliers and the Air Corps. Brig Gen Clancy told the children: "We were absolutely delighted to build the time capsule. When you look up in the sky and see the Air Corps remember we are looking down on you too… We are part of your community; we have been here for nearly 100 years. I hope you will all come back here in 50 years to open the capsule." Sgt Byrne then spoke, saying, "This start- ed a year ago and this time capsule is down to you. From all your drawings, including the one with the dog shooting lasers from his eyes, and all the Minecraft pictures, we had loads to choose from!" The Tánaiste thanked all the children and teachers for her invitation, as she had never seen a school do something like this. She said it was a great idea, which will generate lots of stories, with children here and from all over the world. To great applause, Gen Clancy and stu- dent president Ellen assisted the Tánaiste in unveiling the time capsule. Four stu- dents, selected to highlight the diversity in the school, then tightened the bolts on the portal: 'N' by Seán from Sweden, 'S' by Conor from Australia, 'E' by Howen from China, and 'W' by Seán from Peru. The event finished with a lovely rendi- tion of Amhrán na bhFiann, sung while facing the national flag, before Mr Byrne told all the children he had been instructed by the Tánaiste to excuse them all from homework that evening – to which there was tremendous applause and cheers. Unveiling the time capsule. Brig Gen Clancy, Student President Ellen, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Fr John Gilligan PP and Sgt Zulu Byrne. Students tighten the bolts. Teacher with student Ryan and Sgt Zulu Byrne

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