Issue 53 SPRING 2018 ONEConnect THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ÓGLAIGH NÁISIÚNTA NA hÉIREANN VETERANS SUPPORT CENTRE OPENS IN BALDONNELL

Brigadier General Seán Clancy formally opened the ONE Veterans Support Centre (VSC) in the Propeller Club, Baldonnell on Friday 27th April. The opening coincided with the Monthly Veterans Coffee Morning which was very well attended. General Clancy outlined the importance of the work carried out by ONE and stated that the centre was a place where all veterans can come for information, to meet their comrades or just for a cup of tea. Commandant Orla Jennings presented ONE CEO, Ollie O’Connor with a cheque for €600 raised by personnel of the Air Corps in a recent Fun Run for the Fuchsia Appeal. Ollie O’Connor (ONE CEO) thanked all who had been involved in ensuring that VSC was made ready for operation. Particular thanks went to the GOC and RSM John McCormick for their enthusiastic support and assistance. He also thanked the organisers and all The day was also who had participated in the Fun Run. tinged with sadness as stalwart Roger Casement Branch member and retired Commandant Tony Roe passed away during the night of the opening. Tony’s son Anthony attended the event in memory of his father. Both General Clancy and Ollie O’Connor mentioned Tony when they addressed the attendance.

Pat Behan, Welfare Officer Roger Casement Branch Tony Roe with Michael Whelan 2

Editorial A busy SPRING Ollie O’Connor for O.N.E. The opening of the VSC in Baldonnell is the ONE Branches have first of 11 centres planned to be opened by been very busy over the end of 2018. VSC’s will shortly open in the last number of , DFTC and Galway. The other centres months taking part will take a little more time as they are brought in St. Patrick’s Day up to an occupational standard. The success Parades Nationwide, of the centres will depend on veterans local Remembrance volunteering their time and expertise. Ceremonies, helping the There is also a requirement to ensure that local community and volunteers received adequate training to visits from dignitaries. put their time to good use. Training has already commenced and at this stage 14 ONE Cathal Brugha Branch at the Maynooth St. Patrick’s members underwent a Mental Health First Aid Day Parade Course over the weekend 28/29th April with further courses to follow. This time of year is also the time we seek nominations of candidates for election to the board. Following nominations candidates will undergo a short induction course to make them aware of the responsibilities of Directors and then all members will receive a ballot to choose who they wish to see on the board. The board is also endeavouring to ensure that there is a gender balance on the board and is currently looking at ways that this may be achieved. A number of long serving members of the board will relinquish their positions on the board in 2018, this includes Martin Casey, Jim Casey and Gerry Enright. On your behalf I wish to thank Cdr George Crosbie Branch at 50th Anniversary Tuskar Rock Tragedy them for their service to ONE while members of the board. The time and effort these volunteer members put in on behalf of veterans should be acknowledged by all.

The success of the centres will depend on veterans volunteering their time and expertise. Drogheda and Slane Branch at the Drogheda and Slane Ashbourne Drogheda St. Patrick’s Day Parade The Fuchsia Appeal 2018 Launch will take place on the 27th June at the National Monument, Merrion Square at 12 noon. All members and veterans are welcome to attend. Branches are“ requested to bring their branch flags with them on the day. City and County Councils have been requested to fly the Fuchsia Flag during the month of July.

Mullingar Branch Colour Party for the Tyrellspass St. Patrick’s Day Parade

LAUNCH OF FUCHSIA APPEAL 2018 The Fuchsia Appeal 2018 Launch will take place at the National Monument on Wednesday 27th June at 2.00 hrs (noon) in Merrion Square, Dublin 2 The Fuchsia Appeal, which will be launched by Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, is designed to assist former members of the Defence Forces, who have fallen on difficult times. All members and veterans are welcome to attend. Branches are requested to bring their branch flags with them on the day. Official Opening Athy Library St. Michaels Branch 3

ONE Mayo Colour Party Balla St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Pierce McCan Branch Lá na bhFiann

Sgt Tommy Halligan Branch Colour Party St. St. Conleths Colour Party lead the St Patrick’s Day Patrick’s Day Parade Tipperary Parade at Newbridge

O’Neill Branch helping the Tidy Towns in Cavan Presentation of a cheque to St. Eunans Branch

Visit of Robert Fisk to VSC, Aiken Bks, Dundalk with OC 27 Inf Bn and Michael Danny Byrne Tanagh Branch and McNeela Branch members Cobh Branch at Titanic Remembrance Ceremony Mayor of Cootehill with his wife Mary at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

04 JULY UPCOMING EVENTS Siege of Jadotville told by Leo Quinlan 23 MAY Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda Siege of Jadotville told by Leo Quinlan 08 JULY Connaught Hotel, Galway National Day of Commemoration, 21 JUNE National Museum of Ireland, Collins Bks. 5K Fun Run – Letterkenny; St. Eunans Branch 14 JULY (subject to confirmation) National Monument, Merrion Square 23 & 24 JUNE Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony 11 AUGUST (subject to confirmation) IMVG Military Show. Naas Racecourse National Monument, Merrion Square Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony 24 JUNE 21 JULY (subject to confirmation) National Monument, Merrion Square Unveiling Memorial, Trim – Royal Meath Branch Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony 18 AUGUST (subject to confirmation) 24 JUNE National Monument, Merrion Square Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony Peacekeepers Day – Dublin Castle 28 JULY (subject to confirmation) National Monument, Merrion Square 27 JUNE Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony 28th-30th SEPTEMBER Fuchsia Appeal 2018 Launch National Monument, Merrion Square Annual Convention. Talbot Hotel, Carlow National Monument, Merrion Square 04 AUGUST (subject to confirmation) 29th SEPTEMBER Merrion Square wreath laying ceremony Annual General Meeting. Talbot Hotel, Carlow 4 A Little Help from our Friends 110 Inf Bn recently returned from their tour of duty in Lebanon with the . During their tour they held various events and activities which culminated in them raising over €11,000 for charity. Their primary charities were ONE Fuchsia Appeal and Aoibhinn Pink Tie. At the laying up of the unit colours in , Athlone they presented a cheque for €3,001 to ONE CEO Ollie O’Connor. 56 Inf Gp UNDOF serving in the Golan Heights also donated $300 for the Fuchsia Appeal.

The L/Sea Michael Quinn DSM Branch Naval Association presented Ollie O’Connor with a €500 donation at their Annual Mass of Remembrance. Picture shows Neville Brennan and Branch Treasurer Kieran Connors handing over the cheque. At the same event Tony O’Halloran donated €200 on behalf of Waterford Branch of the Naval Association. On behalf of ONE I wish to thank all those who participated in raising the above donations and it is great that they thought Tony O’Halloran Naval Association of their less fortunate comrades in doing so. Neville Brennan Naval Association cheque

Branch of the Invitation to attend Year Review the 2019 NYC ANNUAL CONVENTION 2018 A review of the branch of Veterans Day Parade the year criteria is currently An invitation has been extended from the United underway. The present War Veterans Council, Inc (UWVC) producers This year the Annual Convention will take place in the criteria has been sent to of the annual NYC Veterans Day Parade to Talbot Hotel, Carlow, over the weekend of the 28th – all branch secretaries. 30th September and will commence on the Saturda