This article is from page 62 of the 2008-08-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 62 JPG
MEN and women from Clare who fought in foreign conflicts will be honoured and remembered at a cer- emony in Ennis next month.
The event is being organised by the Wild Geese, an organisation that seeks to highlight the sacrifices made by Irish soldiers in conflicts through- out history.
Plans are being made for a wreath laying ceremony, followed by a pa- rade, to be held in September.
In all 528 men and women from Clare have fought and died in for-
eign conflicts. The majority of those would have served with the Brit- ish Army while it is estimated that around 100 Clare people served with the United States military.
The ceremony will also recognise the important contribution made by Irish soldiers to United Nation peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and other conflict zones.
Organisers hope that the upcoming ceremony will provide those who fought an opportunity to share their experiences.
Ennis native and Wild Geese mem- ber, John Shanahan explained that
the organisation aims to acknowl- edge, what he believes, is a part of Irish history that people aren’t too familiar with.
‘These men paid the ultimate sac- rifice and that has often gone un- noticed. Its something that a lot of people wouldn’t be aware of, the sacrifice Irish soldiers have made in wars. People mightn’t agree exactly with what people have done but as a strictly non-political organisation, we are trying to tell a story from a soldier’s point of view”’.
Shanahan said that the organisation also seeks to help soldiers and fami-
lies to re-adjust to life after war.
“It can be difficult for people when they come back and we want to get the message out there to families, that we are available to provide help and assistance. Unfortunately, there isn’t much talk about this in Ire- land”. He added, “What many peo- ple mightn’t understand is that there were a lot of reasons for people en- listing in armies. If you look at the history, Irish men would have joined the British army because they had to. A lot of these guys had families to support and there were very few jobs around at the time”.