An Cosantóir

ONE Brú na bhFiann, Dublin Beechwood House, Letterkenny Custume House, Athlone lives and futures of our former comrades. But this support does not come cheap, requiring around €600,000 per year to run these services. Hard work is needed to sustain the many fundraising initiatives ONE plans and runs each year. The most public of these is the Fuchsia Appeal, which has been run since 2007. So wherever you see ONE members selling the fuchsia emblem please be generous as you will be helping our own. A number of branches also run a lotto, which has proven to be successful in raising the much needed funds. The Ballincollig branch held its 'Lá na bhFiann' on Sunday 22nd July 2012. ONE marching in Thurles, in this year's 'Remembrance Parade' organised by the Thurles Memorial Committee and The Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation. The Nenagh Lower Ormonde Branch of ONE held its 'Lá na bhFiann' on Sunday 7th. October 2012. Brú na bhFiann also has four double and six single guest rooms providing bed and breakfast in the centre of Dublin at a discounted rate to subscribed members of the Defence Forces. It's another inventive way to raise money. There is also ONE's annual golf classic and AGM raffle, which also serve as a means for members from around the country to catch up. This brings us to an aspect of ONE that can't be measured in numbers; the spirit of comradeship. This is fostered by social events and outings, organised at either national level or by the individual branches. There have been trips to Poland and Lebanon, as well as escapes to more local parts in Ireland. All these activities give a real sense of belonging through meeting and socialising with others who have served, something that a lot of veterans find lacking when they retire from the Defence Forces. President Michael D Higgins is ONE's patron and the organisation is structured with a board of directors at the top that co-ordinates four councils, located in the four provinces. Each council has a number of local branches located throughout its area. To compliment the ongoing great work, a strategic plan that spans 2011-'15 is now in place. Part of this plan is a new website, www.oneconnect.ie, that is being worked on at the moment. A quick glance at this site shows the value ONE place on informing its members, with a wealth of information on entitlements and support that ex-soldiers or their families may be entitled to, branch details, as well as upcoming dates and functions. If you have any questions about ONE you will likely find the answer there. The future of ONE can not only be seen in its strategic plan, but also in its links with | 17 other veteran associations. Strong relationships have been forged with IUNVA and ARCO and as a result it is planned to establish a Veterans Affairs Committee, comprising members of the three organisations. This has the potential to reshape the landscape for all our veterans in terms of organisation, support and representation. The Fuchsia badge is stamped with the word 'Cuimhnímis' ('Let Us Remember'). This concept is central to the three national commemorations that ONE either run or attend each year. ONE members are invited to the government's National Day of Commemoration, which takes place in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on the nearest Sunday to 11th July (the date in 1921 of the signing of the truce in the War of Independence. The Niemba Ambush Remembrance in Cathal Brugha Bks, organised by ONE members, is held on the nearest Saturday to the actual date of that ambush (8 November 1960). The 2012 commemoration took place on Saturday November 10th. The third event, Lá na bhFiann, is ONE's national day of commemoration, which begins with a parade to Arbour Hill church, followed by a reading of the Proclamation and a wreath-laying ceremony. The latest ONE News is the opening of a new drop-in centre in Limerick, which is a credit to members of The Patrick Sarsfield Branch and all in ONE, because it will be used as a template as they hope to open more drop-in centres around the country. To contact ONE call 014850600, email info@oneconnect.ie, or visit www.oneconnect.ie. www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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