IRISH HEROES

Willie Bermingham.

Terry wrote: »

5th or 6th name read out there.
Sgt. Hugh Gaynor. He was a member of my family. Second cousin or something.
I heard lots of stories about his death in the Congo when I was growing up.
I think there was another guy from Leixlip who died in the same ambush.

Thanks for the link.
I have a few family members who would love to see that.

Pass it onto them Terry.

When I was in Lebanon it always struck a very sad cord in me when I'd see small memorials laid down were Irish soldiers had lost their lives.

I was in Lebanon with the Israeli's finally withdrew, as peace broke out the army decided it was safe to bring the families of members killed over to laid wreaths at the lads memorial sites, now you have to appricate that mostly these memorials were laid at or very close to where the chap was killed.

Fvck, that was pretty damn moving. I met the families (including the now grown up children) of three lads who were killed by a road side bomb in '89, I hope I'm describing this right.

But the grown up kids were the same age as mine were (2000) when I met them and I couldn't help but put myself in their places - it was so strange Terry. It was like, 'damn I was out here when their fathers were killed, and I'm out here now greeting the families and talking about the incident on the spot were their dad's died.

The work and scarifices made by our troops largely go unnoticed here, it makes me sad tbh because we carry an almost unrivalled reputation for professional soldiering where ever we go in the world.

Btw, when we withdrew from Lebanon all the memorials laid by the lads were brought home and are on display in Arbour hill now.

A poem from the Irish UN Vets Association's website..

Roll of Honour.

Your relation's name is fourth down, if you have volume The Last Post is played.

*Edit - just noticed that link brings you to the sites main page, there's a clickable link to the roll of honour on the right side of the page.

There's also a link to HERO'S below that!.

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