Irish United Nations Veterans Association
IUNVA | Honouring | Caring | Remembering
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY – PORTLAOISE
The Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 97th anniversary of the first transatlantic east-to-west flight was held at Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on Sunday 12 Apr 2025. In 1927, ten unsuccessful East-West transatlantic attempts were made and seven lives were lost.
On Thursday, 12 Apr 1928, a German Junkers W33 plane, named the Bremen, crossed the Atlantic from east to west. The aircraft took off from Baldonnel Aerodrome at 0528, and landed at Greenly Island in Labrador over 36 hours later. The aircrew were Col James Fitzmaurice, who was a native of Portlaoise, and two German aviators, Capt Hermann Koehl and Baron von Huenefeld.
The wreath laying ceremony was jointly coordinated by the Col James Fitzmaurice Commemorative Society, the Air Corps and Laois Co Council. IUNVA Post 27 has assisted and participated in this ceremony for a number of years and this is just one example of how IUNVA operates for the public benefit.
All photos credit Michael Thompson.
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Honouring
We honour our fallen comrades by holding Annual Wreath Laying Ceremonies at our Irish United Nations Veterans Association Memorials and gravesides.
Events are held annually throughout the country by our Posts.
We have a number of burial plots countrywide for members who fall on hard times. Details and requests can be made to National Welfare Officer of any Post Welfare Officer.
Caring
To advise and assist our veterans, who have been adversely affected physically or mentally as a result of their UN Service. Welfare Officers are available countrywide to provide assistance for those who may have difficulties in coping with burials, domestic issues and accomm-odation needs. We have a number of Drop-in Centres, some with accommodation countrywide where members and non-members are welcome to visit for advice, tea, coffee, comradeship and a friendly chat.
Remembering
To ensure the memory of those who gave their lives, service and sacrifice in the cause of peace on United Nations Service is not forgotten. To remember deceased ex-members of the Defence Forces who served at home and overseas and members of an Gardai.
We continue to erect IUNVA Memorials and secure graves countrywide.
MiSsion Statement
The main objects or charitable purposes for which the Association is established are:
The prevention or relief of poverty and economic hardship and the provision of financial relief in cases of necessity or distress to members of IUNVA and their dependants within capabilities.
To provide financial and other supports to veterans whose lives have been adversely affected as a result of service with the United Nations.
Integration of disadvantaged veterans and promotion of their full participation in society.
- To promote, for the public benefit, the commemoration of Irish citizens who have died in the cause of world peace while on service with the United Nations or on United Nations mandated missions or operations.
Subsidiary Objects
As objects incidental and ancillary to the attainment of its Main Objects, the Association shall have the following subsidiary objects:
- To promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the history of Irish participation in United Nations peace support missions and operations.
- To support, where requested, training, education and awareness within the Defence Forces and other organisations regarding overseas service and the history of Irish participation – particularly where lessons were identified or major challenges overcome – and to promote the remembrance of lost comrades through membership of the Association.
- To support commemorative and ceremonial events organised by the State, Óglaigh na hÉireann (The Defence Forces), An Garda Síochána, local authorities, local communities and other national veterans’ associations.
- To assist with academic research into Irish involvement in United Nations and United Nations mandated peace support operations and missions, and the collection and collation of archival material in this regard.
- To provide and coordinate health education courses, advice and counselling for members.
- To provide a network of support and social interaction through the organisation of social, recreational, cultural and sporting activities for members and their dependants.
- To establish, maintain and encourage contact with likeminded kindred associations and agencies in Ireland and in other countries.
- To engage and advocate with central government, local government, state and voluntary agencies in advancing the interests of the Association, its members and families of members.
ABOUT US
Welcome to the Irish United Nations Veterans Association
Through these pages we hope you will gain an insight about IUNVA and learn what the association stands for and what we are about.
There are some interesting articles in the Blog section to read.
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