Minister reviews troops ahead of deployment to Lebanon
The skies opened just as Minister Paul Kehoe began his inspection of troops at Aiken Barracks last week ahead of their deployment to Lebanon later this month.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, troops braved the elements amid the pomp and ceremony of a ministerial review.
Proudly watched by family and loved ones, the full battalion show their skill with an official parade through the barracks grounds, cheered on too by children from local national schools.
There were some heart warming human stories too, as soldiers prepared to leave behind their spouse, partners and children
Brothers in arms Sgt. Thomas Macken and Pte. Gavin Macken know only too well the challenges of leaving their loved ones behind to serve abroad.
They will serve side by side on the peacekeeping mission, something which they said ‘can help to keep the spirits up.’
Thomas, who first served in Lebanon over 20 years ago, admits the difficulty in saying goodbye to family.
‘It’s different every time you go away, but this time, my 10 year old son is already not looking forward to it. He’s just finding it tough that I will be gone for six months, that’s only natural.’
But, the ease of Skype, Wats App and phoning, has he admits helped a lot.
‘When I first started going overseas, we were writing letters home, and waiting for letters to arrive.
‘It was a lot tougher I think. Now you can be in touch almost every day with family at home.’
Thomas is also set to be best man for his brother Gavin in July, so the two have arranged to come back from Lebanon for the event in summer.
They also had a third brother who was a former soldier, and all followed in the footsteps of their father, a retired member of the Defence Forces.
Thomas added that he knows his mother Bernadette, although used to her husband and sons frequently serving overseas, is always worried when they go to leave.
‘ That’s why I have to go as well, to look after him,’ joked Gavin.
‘But I am really looking forward to going back to Lebanon. This is what I joined the army to do, to serve.’
Pte. Dermot McGrath, who joined the army four years ago, is going on his first mission overseas, but is leaving behind his 13 week old baby.
But he is glad to have been at home for the christening just before he heads off.
He added that despite dreading the thought of leaving his newborn, he was ‘really excited’ about the prospect of serving in Lebanon.
Cpl. David Hughes will also be leaving his fiancee Teresa with all the last minute wedding plans, as he departs for Lebanon, only for a planned return three weeks later for their wedding.
Teresa admitted that it would be a ‘quiet start to married life’ as after their honeymoon in June, her new husband will return to Lebanon to serve until November.
These sacrifices were just some of those which Minister Paul Kehoe acknowledged that families and loved ones made in order for members of the defence forces to fulfil peace keeping duties abroad.