| Veterans to host charity gala for war orphans |
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| Wednesday, 03 September 2008 | |
 THE Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) is staging a charity gala concert celebrating 50 years of Irish troops serving with the UN in many of the world’s most war-torn regions.Phil Coulter And His Orchestra will be joined by special guest, Geraldine Branagan, at the National Concert Hall on September 7 when they will belt out such classics as ‘The Town I loved So Well’, ‘Stealaway’, ‘Ireland's Call’, ‘The Old Man’, ‘My Boy’ and many more. The IUNVA hopes to raise funds for the children of families destroyed by war at the Holy Family Orphanage in Bethlehem, Palestine and the Amlieh Orphanage in the small settlement of Tibnin, Lebanon, near the Israeli border. Secretary for the IUNVA headquarters, Tommy Maloney, commented on the importance of the concert to both the IUNVA and the children they hope to help. “Geraldine travelled to the Lebanon in 1979 to entertain the 46th Infantry Battalion who were stationed there at the time,” he said. “She has been the sweetheart of the whole battalion ever since.” The IUNVA committee also appealed to all Irish men and woman who have served overseas in the past 50 years to support the concert and meet old comrades. Over 20,000 Irish soldiers have served with the UN in Lebanon since 1978 where, on top of their peacekeeping duties, they also helped to rebuild and repair the ravaged communities. The last Irish troops left Camp Ida in southeast Lebanon in October last year, ending almost 30 years of service, during which 46 soldiers died. The primary role of the IUNVA, which is comprised of former members of the Irish Defence Forces and of the Garda Siochana, is to provide counselling for members and families affected by overseas service. Recently, the IUNVA has begun fundraising for the orphanages left behind in both Lebanon and Palestine. Treasurer for the association, Michael Monaghan, highlighted the work troops performed while stationed in the area, especially with the children. “It’s a side of the efforts made by our peacekeeping forces that many people do not get to see,” he said. “In war, there is an awful lot of talk bout the victims, but nothing is said of the people that are left behind, such as the children. “Soldiers deployed in the area would donate some of their pay to the orphanages. But since troops are no longer stationed out there, we have begun making efforts to continue providing needed funds for the orphans.” Michael added that all the proceeds from the concert will, after expenses, be used to help the orphans in a variety of ways. “We intend to buy mini-buses, which would prove extremely useful for the orphanages,” he said. “We also plan to hold a charity cycling trip to Jerusalem next year, during which we plan to deliver the mini-buses.” For further information on the charity gala concert, contact Michael Monaghan at 4503272 or to book tickets visit www.nch.ie or call the National Concert Hall box office on 417-0000. |
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Developed by Kevin Flynn