An Cosantóir

16 | Helping those Who Served By Cpl Paul Millar Photos courtesy of Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh (PRO, SAC ONE) & ONE Ó John Collopy cuts the ribbon on the drop-in centre, Limerick. ONE can trace its lineage back to the massive demobilisation that followed the Emergency, when thousands of ex-servicemen formed various associations to maintain the camaraderie and support they experienced while in service. In 1950 these groups came together to form the Irish exServicemen's Organisation. It adapted a badge that had the crest of the Defence Forces around a centre piece of black and tan (to honour those who fought against that force in 1919-'21) with the number '1' superimposed to signify unity. Shortly afterwards the name was also changed to Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, or the Organisation of National ExServicemen and these initials, ONE, were also incorporated into their cap badge, where they still remain. Today, ONE has expanded to over 50 branches, with two of these in England. What has remained the same, however, is the spirit in which it was founded. Membership is open to all people from all our defence services: the PDF, the RDF, the Irish Red Cross and Civil Defence, provided the person An Cosantóir Dec 2012/Jan 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie glaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONE) is a support organisation for ex-service personnel of the Defence Forces. It has been recognised by the Minister of Defence as the official representative of ex-members, as well as receiving charity status from the Revenue Commissioners, which it uses to great effect in supporting our former colleagues. was honourably discharged with a minimum of one year's satisfactory service. Serving members are probably most aware of ONE through their annual Fuchsia appeal, one of many campaigns ONE uses to fund its main objective: assisting the welfare of ex-servicemen and women through the provision of accommodation or other assistance that may be required. The importance of providing accommodation came painfully to light during the winter of 1988 when a number of homeless ex-soldiers died on the streets of Dublin from hypothermia. In response to this tragedy ONE embarked on five years of planning, organising and fundraising that resulted in the establishment of the 20-room soldiers' home Brú na bhFiann (Home of the Brave). Today ONE homes, located in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone, can cater for 44 veterans. With a turnover of around 100 veterans per year (most of these going on to be housed by local authorities), ONE is making a real difference to the

• Cover