An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS By BERNARD hIll, oRGANISING CoMMITTEE PhoToS PAT loNG PhoToGRAPhy Military Veterans Black Tie Gala Ball T he second Military Veterans' Black Tie Gala Ball, which took place on the 19th of August 2017, was another very successful event in aid of our Defence Forces veterans through oNE. Because of the success of the 2016 ball and the extra interest this year, we booked Moran's Hotel at the Red Cow for 2017. This was fortunate, as the numbers increased to the maximum capacity of 356. Our MC for the evening was Vinny Kearns, who opened proceedings by welcoming every- one, introduced our speakers and special guests, and spent the night reminding us of our chosen charity: Brú na bhFiann, ONE's homeless initiative in Dublin. Assistant Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Peter O'Halloran made our keynote address, and our guest speaker was Sinéad Black, Assistant Manager at Brú na bhFiann. This year's colour party comprised Thomas Metcalfe MMG with the trico- lour, Matt Doyle with the UN flag, and Paul Cooley carrying the ONE pennant. Veteran Paul Clarke was awarded the honour of accepting the colours in recognition of his contribution to veterans' affairs. ONE was represented by members of ONE HQ and Erskine Childers Branch (Dublin), who took three tables, and Roger Casement Branch (Baldonnel), who took a table. IUNVA was repre- sented by Post 1 (Dublin) and Post 9 (Athlone). Many other veteran's groups were also repre- sented, such as the associations of 2 Infantry Battalion, 5 Infantry Bat- talion, Garrison Transport, BWS Transport, 2 Motor Squadron, the Military Police, 2 Field Artillery Regiment, Military Engineers, and much more. We also had support from the Army Transport Club, and the Brigade Transport Reserve, formerly 11 Field Supply & Transport. I would like to stress that you don't have to have served in the Defence Forces to buy a ticket, everyone is welcome. We had many guests who had no connection except the desire to support a good cause and to have a great evening. The occasion would not feel like a military event without the help of the pipers of IUNVA Post 1 and former 5 Inf Bn Pipe Band members Stefan O'Reilly, Anthony Byrne and Joe Burke. We would like to thank all of the units and associations who supplied pennants and flags and Mattie Doyle for his carpentry work in manufactur- ing the flag stands. We especially wish to thank our sponsors Jean Maher, Vinny Kearns, Darren Kelly, Vinny Devoy, Jimmy Be- han, Karina King Cooke, Mattie Doyle and Paddy Morey, The 2018 Gala Ball is scheduled to take place on Saturday 18th August 2018, in Moran's Hotel at the Red Cow. What a brilliant turn- out for the Military Ball this year. Thomas and Martina Metcalfe, George and Marge Wynne, Ray and Phil Byas, Paul and Karen Darcy, and Gerard and Sharon Flynn. Dave and Annette Richards, Margaret and Patsy Dineen, Bobby and Marion Redmond, Dot and Stephen White and Bea and Derek Judge. ACOS Brig Gen Peter O'Halloran pictured with Jadotville Veterans (L) John Gorman and (R) James Myler. Sinéad Black, Brú na bhFiann

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