A salute to Eamon’s service
LISSELTON MILITARY SERVICE FOR LATE EAMON BUCKLEY
JUST over five years on from his passing and 60 years on from enlisting in the Defence Forces, Eamon Buckley received a tribute worthy of his 22 years’ service at a Military Ceremonial Mass in St Teresa’s Church, Lisselton.
After enlisting in February 1956 in his late teens, he took part in his first tour of duty with the 34th Infantry Battalion United Nations Operation in the Congo.
Following that, he served four more times with the United Nations Force in Cyprus, and his final overseas mission was with the 26th Infantry Group with the United Nations Emergency Force in the Sinai before his retirement in February 1978.
His last unit was the Third Garrison Supply and Transport, Collins Barracks, Cork.
Secretary of Post Two of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) John Wade explained that the group learned in recent weeks that the former Defence Forces member had passed away in November 2013 without any of his comrades knowing. He was cremated and his ashes scattered on Lacca, a hillside overlooking Lisselton, and there was no military representation present following his passing.
Upon learning of this, Post Two set about providing a tribute worthy of Mr Buckley, and this culminated in last Sunday’s events, Mr Wade explained.
“It was attended by members of Post Two and Cork-based Post Five of the IUNVA, as well as the ONE, the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women,” Mr Wade explained.
“A UN flag and beret were brought to the altar, while a piper from Killorglin Pipe Band was present for the occasion.
“We also sourced a photograph of Eamon, and a Colour Party also took place on the day, which featured the national, Munster and a flags, a Post Two flag, a ONE flag, and the Fuchsia Flag, which acts as a remembrance emblem.”
Coming as it did five years after Mr Buckley passed away in Listowel, as Mr Buckley told The Kerryman, the Post Two group was delighted with the day’s commemorations, which were preceded by post-event refreshments in Tomáisín’s, Lisselton.
There, Mr Wade was able to gather some feedback on the occasion and found it to be well received, not least by relatives of Mr Buckley’s.
Having issued a callout for serving and past personnel, Mr Wade was also impressed with the response on that front.
“I think the whole thing went very well,” he said. “We were delighted to have so many service people involved, and his relatives were particularly happy with how it all went.
“Having heard there was no military representation present following his death five years ago this month, it was a very special occasion for us all on Sunday last.