BOYNE VALLEY HOTEL HOSTS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION FOR
FORMER US AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN MARKS 80TH CANON EUGENE NEE SAW ACTION IN PLACES LIKE VIETNAM AND KOREA AND WAS HONOURED WITH THREE SERVICE MEDALS
FRIENDS and family travelled from as far as the United States to say ‘ happy birthday’ to a unique Duleek priest.
Last Saturday, after celebrating mass in St Cianan’s, Fr Eugene Nee, was feted in the Boyne Valley Hotel on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Just over 30 years ago, Fr. Nee, who was educated at Duleek N.S. and Drogheda C.B.S., received his certificate of retirement from military service in the United States Air Force, having served as a chaplain, retiring with the rank of Lieut. Colonel.
He has three Meritorious Service Medals and four Commendation Medals, a National Defence and Expeditionary Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Gallantry Cross Palm, plus others. He served for a long period in San Antonio, Texas.
He received a commendation medal from the USAF for his bravery and concern for his fellow men and women during a fire in an apartment complex.
Chaplain Nee also received the title of Canon from his excellency, the Archbishop of Izmir/Smyrna, Archbishop Bernardini Ciussepe, for his priestly work of preaching and teaching Jesus Christ, and building bridges between Christians, Muslems and Jews in that 7,000 year old city, home of one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelations, the legendary home of Homer.
Fr. Eugene was born in Curra, Louisburgh, Mayo, and received the beginning of his education from his parents, four brothers and three sisters, and the Killadoon N.S. He continued his education at Duleek N.S., Meath, and St. Josephs C.B.S., Drogheda, and St. Kierans College, Kilkenny.
Canon Nee, a certified reality therapist, served as chaplain with NATO in Germany, Iceland, Norway, Turkey and England. In the Pacific theatre, he served in the Vietnam war, Thailand and Korea. He has also served in several bases and hospitals in the U.S.A.
Four years ago, there are a series of events taking place to mark his 50 years in the priesthood, including a concelebrated Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral with Cardinal Timothy Dolan in New York on St Patrick’s Day. He also returned home to Duleek, to the church where he celebrated his first mass.
He is based in Coventry, England.