Helicoptertribute byCoastGuard
IT took months of hard work, long nights on the Ballymakenny Road, but the end result - stunning.
As part of this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade, the Drogheda Coast Guard teamed up with the man behind last year’s ‘ ambulance’ entry in the parade for St John Ambulance - Ken O Heiligh - to produce a remarkable sight.
In the final months of last year, they began the task of designing and drawing the outline of a rescue helicopter - keeping the final plan under wraps until last Saturday.
The ‘ helicopter’ was a tribute to those lost on Rescue 116 just over a year ago and the members of the local service and volunteers were humbled when Father Duffy came along to bless those involved in the project. His nephew, Mark, was one of those lost in the tragedy.
The replica of the Coast Guard helicopter was some 35ft long and was made from wood and various materials.
The entry was very well received in Drogheda and it then made its way down the M1 to Ardee.
The Coast Guard markings were placed on it and it even received its own number - EI DCG - Drogheda Coast Guard.