This afternoon the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, attended the annual Defence Forces Veterans Day in McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Defence Forces Veterans Day 2022
This afternoon the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, attended the annual Defence Forces Veterans Day in McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Today's events celebrated our Veterans contribution to the Defence Forces and offered Veterans an opportunity to meet, reminisce and, importantly, pass on their vast experience to our younger soldiers.
The celebrations this year involved a ceremonial parade with representative bodies from the Brigades, Formation and Services of the Permanent Defence Force alongside their retired colleagues and comrades; with representative bodies from the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers.
Speaking at the event Chairperson for Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, Colm Campbell"Veterans are very honoured to have served Ireland and for those that are fortunate to see old age, the uniform was like a second skin that never wrinkled. Irish Peacekeepers have been deployed in wars or their immediate aftermath without interruption since 1958. This could not have been achieved without the unified effort of all elements of the Defence Forces and the sacrifice of the fallen and their families. Veterans' Day honours that record of outstanding service and we warmly welcome this ceremony"
Also speaking at the event Irish United Nations Veterans Association National Chairperson, Derek Judge, "Today is an important way of linking back to our days in the Defence Forces, to meet with serving personnel and to renew old friendships with those with whom we served with at home and overseas. It is an occasion for us and other military veterans to join with the Chief of Staff to commemorate, to pay tribute to and to honour our comrades who died in the service of the State and on peace support operations under the flag of the United Nations. Our members very much appreciate the ceremonial, the hospitality and the recognition by our successors in Óglaigh na hÉireann of our service to the State and our service in the cause of world peace".
The President of the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers, Brigadier General Séamus Ó Giolláin (Retired), remarked at the event; "Veterans Day celebrates the service of all former members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who have selflessly and loyally served the State. It also recognises the sacrifices of the families and dependents of service personnel due to the exigencies of the service including frequent and extended absences from home. Veterans Day formally brings together the recognised Veteran Associations and the support they provide to veterans, protecting their interests, and advocacy on behalf of the Defence Forces generally on issues of importance. The day also provides a welcome opportunity for all veterans to reconnect and renew old friendships and comradeship and the attendance of the informal Unit, Corps associations and clubs with whom all veterans can identify, enhances the day".
