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This is my report for yesterday Sunday the 12.7.2020 in Collins Barracks Approximately a month ago our National PRO Terry Cummins received a telephone call from the Taoiseachs office informing him that this years National Day of Commemoration in Collins Barracks would be scaled back because of the Corona Virus and could he send two members from the Irish Naval Association (INA) to represent the INA. Terry sent two names myself as President and the Chairman of the Dublin Branch Declan Pendred. The ceremony is held every year on the nearest Sunday to the 11.7 to remember all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. There were ten Representatives from different religions Officiating at the Ceremony, Music was provided by the Band of the Second Brigade conducted by Captain Thomas Kelly and the Soloist was Ms Colette Delahunt.There was a very small number of Veterans in attendance including the UN Vets, Arco, Royal British legion, French Foreign Legion and the ONE approx 60 in total with no members of the public in attendance. Our Commander in Chief Michael D Higgins was in attendance and laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland also in attendance was the following,An Taoiseach,members of the new Government,the Council of State, Officiating Representative and the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM. There were only eight Cadets in the Honour Guard which was very unusual. After the Ceremony there was some light refreshments outside with everyone keeping their safe distance. I was interviewed by RTE asking my opinion on this years Ceremony regarding how small the numbers were i said that it was important for the Ceremony should go ahead regardless of the numbers because the reason is still the same.
Is Mise ,le Meas |