American memorials unveiled at Mayo Peace Park

TWO American memorials were unveiled and the 107th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme was commemorated at the Mayo Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance, on July 1.

There was a large representation of officers and members from the Mayo Branch of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Men and Women, the Irish United Nations and UNIFIL veterans, the Irish Guards Regiment and many other veterans groups and individual veterans. Numerous American veterans from the American Legion Posts around Ireland attended and participated.

MC for the ceremony, Captain Donal Buckley welcomed the large attendance, including the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Michael Loftus.

He explained that a new American memorial was erected because recent research had shown that the number of Mayo born American soldiers who died in World War One had nearly doubled in number in recent times.

Another new memorial, he said, would be unveiled to honour the Mayo men who received America’s highest award for bravery - the Congressional Medal of Honour. The same memorial will record the names of the three Mayo recipients of the Victoria Cross.

The ceremony highlighted the fact that many thousands of young Irish emigrants had been conscripted into the American, Australian, Canadian and British forces during the world wars and were forgotten until recent times.

The ceremony also reflected on the fact that 175 Mayo soldiers died during the period of the Battle of the Somme and that 19 young Mayo soldiers were killed on the very first day of the battle.

Special guests were retired American Army Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Fr. Frank O’Grady, Canon Andrea Wills of the Church of Ireland, Captain Noel Carey, Irish United Nations peacekeeping veteran, the last surviving officer from the Battle of Jadotville, Mr. David Gibson-Brabazon, president of the Midlands Counties and Kildare Branch of the Royal British Legion in the Republic of Ireland, Mr. Mike Walsh and his wife Maureen (Mike was the architect who prepared the initial drawings for Mayo Peace Park) and Lt. Colonel Tom Nolta, Defence Attaché at the American Embassy.

A very special welcome was extended to Mr. Oleksandr Cregrakhchy from Mariupol in Ukraine, his wife Irena and other members of the Ukrainian community. Mr. Cregrackhchy laid a wreath during the ceremony in memory of all those killed in the ongoing fighting in his country. He especially remembered Mr. Finbar Cafferky from Achill Island who was killed in action with the Ukrainian Army.

The large crowd was entertained with superb singing by Mayo’s own Julianne Hennelly. Piper Pat Conlon was also on hand to add much colour to the occasion.

Councillor Michael Loftus reflected on the sacrifice made by so many young Mayo people in the world wars. He was honoured to attend and pay his respects.

Lt. Col. Fr. Frank O’Grady spoke of the dedication and service of so many young people who fought for peace and freedom across the world. He said they should never be forgotten.

Commander Ron Howko of the John Barry Post of the American Legion in Ireland spoke in glowing terms about all the Irish men who served and died with the American Forces in all of its wars.

He said that the Irish won more Congressional Medals of Honour - the highest award for bravery - than any other foreign nation. Men from County Mayo had received 11 medals, with one receiving it on two different occasions.

UNVEILINGS

The memorials were unveiled and blessed by Fr. O’Grady and Canon Wills.

The 107th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme was commemorated with a wreath-laying in memory of the 175 young Mayo soldiers killed over the four-month period.

The cost of the new memorials was paid for from a bequested donation made by the late Dermot Neely from Gallows Hill, Castlebar, whose uncle Daniel Neely was killed in action during World War One.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of the 'Taps' by an American Legionnaire and the American Anthem, followed by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille by Irish Defence Force bandsman Martin Rachev and the playing of the Irish National Anthem.

Tribute was paid to Castlebar town gardener Adrian Roache and the outdoor staff of the municipal council for cleaning the flagpoles, trimming hedges and cutting grass.

Mayo Civil Defence was thanked for its assistance on the day and Eadmonn and Donna MacSuibne were thanked for providing first aid and medical cover.