ONE CONVENTION: “Let’S Bring This Organisation Forward Together!” by Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald Photos by Armn Jamie Barrett
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Issue 55 WINTER 2018 ONEConnect THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ÓGLAIGH NÁISIÚNTA NA hÉIREANN ONE CONVENTION: “Let’s bring this Organisation forward together!” By Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald Photos by Armn Jamie Barrett particular skill let us know. Speaking about the branches, he said, “the members ‘are’ ONE… we have to focus on what the branches do… We need to leverage the support of local politicians and we must further develop the veterans policy. We need to look at a better set of certificates for personnel leaving the Defence Forces than the current LA89 – which doesn’t really tell you about the person or the skills they have attained in their careers.” He finished by saying that ONE needs to further examine applications for grant aid and at corporate sponsorship of homes and the VSCs. He then took questions from the floor. One question of note was, ‘would it be possible to bring branch committee members up to National HQs to undergo training in their relevant The Organisation of National Ex-Service number military associations, at least, four of appointments i.e. treasurer.’ Colm said it Personnel (ONE) held their Annual whom fundraised for the Fuchsia Appeal,” he was an “excellent idea”, and that he would Convention in the Talbot Hotel, Carlow on the continued. immediately add it to the strategic plan to 29th September 2018. Over 200 delegates, On the subject of the homes that ONE make it happen. representing 40 Branches from around the manage for veterans of the Defence Forces Ollie O’Connor then spoke about the Veteran country, voted and discussed veteran’s affairs in need of accommodation, Ollie said, “The Support Centres (VSCs) in detail, saying a and how to take the organisation forward. management of the homes is second to none, number would be up and running by the end Items that were discussed ranged from I’d like to thank Aiden, Pat, Dick and Sinead of 2018. He said that ONE would work hand in Strategic Plan, Veteran Support Centres, for their great work.” hand with Personnel Support Services (PSS) in Public Relations and Governance. Former Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) developing and utilising the VSCs. They would The conference was started by the ONE’s retired Brig General Colm Campbell, now be run by trained veterans with a statutory National President Tom James, who said Chairman of ONE gave an inspiring talk on board in behind, and under the same ideals as a prayer and called out a list of recently the organisation, and a look at their strategic a Citizen Information Centre. “They would be diseased members. He then thanked his goals. “Civvies have colleagues, soldiers have a marriage of the Citizens Information Centre predecessor and the staff of the ONE homes comrades,” he said. “That’s why we get on so and a type of ‘Men’s / Women’s Shed’, where in Letterkenny, Athlone and Dublin. well together, because no matter where you you’ll be able to seek advice and direction, and ONE’s CEO Ollie O’Connor was next to the served, or rank or position we can relate to be able to relax in a welcome environment. podium, and gave the great news that the ONE each other.” Under the saying, ‘It’s OK to say, you are not were in close negotiations with Department We have no monopoly on knowledge, so if OK’ – that’s what the centres are for.” of Defence and OPW to purchase a building you know anyone in your branch that has a in Cobh that will be turned into a Veterans Continued on page 9 Support Centre (VSC) and possibly a small residential home for homeless Defence Forces veterans. “We have a bit of a way to go and then the home will need to be renovated and hopefully we can access grants to bring it up to a liveable standard,” he said. He said the VSCs were still being developed, with a view to every barracks in the country having one. He thanked the county councils who flew the Fuchsia flag during the year, and that the first Annual Fuchsia Coffee Morning will be held in every barracks on 30th November. On the subject of veteran policy and the White Paper, he said ONE met with the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO) and with the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) a number of times throughout the year. “We also work with a 2 Editorial Around the Branches Ollie O’Connor JADOTVILLE DAY 2018 was a year of reflection and Jadotville Day 2018 took change for ONE. The strategic place on Saturday 27th plan ‘Building for the Future’ October in Collins Bks, was reviewed and updated (as Dublin. It was also the 36th can be seen in this issue) with a Anniversary of the Tibnin strengthening of the 6 goals of the Bridge murders and they were plan. also remembered during the ceremony. ONE provided At this stage 8 of the proposed 13 the Colour Party this year Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) and many branches were are open and in various stages of represented at the event. operation. Progress is being made The parade was led by the on the remaining 5 VSCs and we will IUNVA Pipe Band. Pride of keep you posted on their progress. place were the members and Thirty three veterans have been families of A Coy, 35th Inf Bn trained in Mental Health First Aid who reviewed the march past and further courses will be run in the of veterans. IUNVA and many near future. The VSC Committee other Irish and international have drawn up guidelines and SOP’s veterans associations for the operation of the centres and and organisations were are in the process of devising course represented. Defence Forces curricula for Welfare Officers. veterans serving in front line services, such as the Gardai, Prison Service, Fire Brigade The Fuchsia and Civil Defence, were Appeal has also represented. Following had a very the Parade refreshments were served in the Garda Rowing Club. The event was once again organised by Paul Clarke and his 2 Battalion Association team. successful year with well ST. MICHAELS BRANCH, ATHY over €100,000 raised The“ Annual Convention was held in Carlow and was very well received by all who attended and participated. Much was learned by Delegates, Presenters and Board of Directors. Many thanks to the Lt Kevin Gleeson Branch for their local liaison and their assistance in ensuring a very successful and moving ceremonial on the Sunday. The Fuchsia Appeal has had a very successful year with well over €100,000 raised for the Appeal. The St. Michaels Branch Athy provided a Colour Party at St Michael’s Old Graveyard on the 11th work carried out by our branches, November where a very large crowd gathered to remember those from the Athy area who members, volunteers and other served and died in the First World War. The 64 local people who perished from the town during military associations on behalf of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic were also remembered on the day. their less fortunate comrades is deeply appreciated. During the year MICHAEL MCNEELA BRANCH there was a lot of external briefings DÚN DEALGAN with government ministers and Lt.Col. Kieran Carey Officer Commanding 27 officials, local authorities, military Infantry Battalion presenting a cheque for €2000. authorities, military courses and The funds raised from the 27 Infantry Battalion various fora. Annual Marathon in aid of St.Nicholas Monastery N.S. and the ONE Fuchsia Appeal Our three homes have had Picture shows Jim Mc Eneaney, Vice principal many visits during the year from Cathriona Cosgrove Lt.Col Kiern Carey and Paula government ministers, Oireachtas Harrison school secretary. members, Lord Mayors, members of the Defence Forces, branches PETER KEENAN BRANCH LONGFORD and other veterans associations. The Peter Keenan Branch of ONE took a lead role in the Armistice Ceremonies in Longford. All were very impressed with the They were joined by veterans from many organisations and none, including other ONE cleanliness, efficiency and caring branches, Jadotville Vets, IUNVA and serving members of the Defence Forces, The Longford work being carried out by the Pipe Band provided management and staff at all three music on the day. homes. Members of Longford On behalf of Óglaigh Náisiúnta County Council na hÉireann I wish to thank all our and the people of branches, members, volunteers, Longford turned out staff and particularly our residents. in great numbers for Have a very Happy Christmas and a the ceremony. New Year that brings to you all you wish. 3 MAYO BRANCH Mayo Branch has been very busy as usual. Even in October Paddy Mitchel and his team are out collecting for the Fuchsia Appeal. On the 13th October branch members continued their tour of the county and were collecting at Dunnes Stores, Ballina. On the 7th October Mayo Branch members were joined by members from ONE Gaillimh and the 19th Battalion Association to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Mayo Peace Park in Castlebar. THE HAUNTINGS SOLDIER The Hauntings Soldier a ghost like sculpture made from scrap to represent soldiers who came home from the Great War frayed and in pieces to their families was brought to Ireland at the request of Ms. Sabina Purcell to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the war ending. It was constructed in St. Stephens Green on Saturday 4th November and remained in the Green until the 26th November. ONE was represented by Cathal Brugha Branch at the opening launch and members of a number of branches returned for a closing ceremony on the 25th November.