I.U.N.V.A. Post 31 Enniscorthy.
United Nations Peacekeepers; Today there are more than 77,000 soldiers and 11,000 policemen from 118 nations serving in 22 UN operations on 4 continents. They are joined by about 5,000 civilian personel and more than 11,000 local civilian staff. The UN is the largest multilateral contributor to post conflict stabilization in the world.
Moving troops and policemen into countries ripped apart by civil and external wars. The UN also deploys medical clinics and field hospitals under UN protection in areas where otherwise the local population would not receive the urgent medical care required.
A total of 2,468 peacekeepers from 118 nations have lost their lives in the service of peace. Of these 88 were Irish and 98 were British. The first UN peacekeeper to lose his life in a United Nations peacekeeping operation was French officer Commandant Rene de Labarriere, who was killed while serving with UNTSO in Palestine by a landmine on 6th July 1948.
Remembered that they were good people, and they volunteered to do something honourable. They left their families and stood in the doorways of the oppressed and said to the oppressors and the beligerents - "You will do no harm here. Not today, not on our watch".
I for one will always remember them (Armn Michael Whelan)
Welcome to the home page of Post 31 of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association. The Post was founded out of the Wexford town based Post 3 group. Chairman, (Sgt) Michael O' Neill of Enniscorthy was the driving force behind the Post being set up. We will be expanding further in the coming weeks here on this site, with a picture gallery, profiles, stories, news and information concerning upcoming events and so on. If you have any queries please contact me at calco63@gmail.com
I.U.N.V.A. is open to both serving and ex members of the Defence Forces and the Gardai who have served at least 90 days service on a U.N. mission or U.N. mandated mission in a foreign country. Our headquarters are based at I.U.N.V.A. House, Mount Temple Road, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7. It is €24 per annum to join IUNVA. There are 18 posts through out the country, we will have a full listing of new secretary's up here soon for all the post's. Until then you can contact me at calco63@gmail.com for information on the post nearest your location.
NEWSFLASH; Names are now been taken for a return trip to Cyprus, Lebanon and the Sinai in Sept/Oct 2010. Please contact me for details on calco63@gmail.com or ring me on 086-3830885.
Nicole Cahill, the girl that many of you helped in contributions to a fund to enable her to walk again says thank you please click on linkbelow; Nicole says Thank You.
We have decided to send all our members and associate members a newsletter once a month if they wish to recieve it. You do not have to be a member of IUNVA to recieve this, just sign up the form here for updates and you will recieve information, updates on parades and events before they happen. Also we are here to help and assist in any way we can all families of and ex-soldiers themselves that served with the Irish Defence Forces overseas on UN mandated missions. We have an appointed welfare officer who will help you with and answer any queries you might have about entitlements, medical or social issues or questions over army matters. If you have any queries or need phone numbers, addresses, names etc, please email me or phone me at 086-3830885
New page gone up - Soldiers poems and laments. If you have any you feel worthy of inclusion please email me.
A SOLDIER
I was one of those that others did not dare to be
I went where others feared to go
And did what others failed to do
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing
And reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness
...Should I fail
I have seen the face of terror
Felt the sting of fear
And enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love
I have cried, pained and hoped
But most af all I have lived times
That others would say are best forgotten
At least now today
I am able to say
That I am proud of what I was
...A SOLDIER
