Cross-border service for war dead
Monday November 09 2009
Thousands of fallen soldiers have been honoured at a cross-border commemoration service.
Ex-service groups from both sides of the border stood shoulder to shoulder and pay tribute to the war dead at the only all-Ireland remembrance event on the island.
More than 200 people attended the interdenominational service at the Cenotaph in Drogheda, Co Louth, and recalled the sacrifice of thousands who joined the British forces to fight in the First and Second World Wars.
As the last post was sounded and the traditional two-minute silence observed traditional Royal British Legion Poppy wreaths were laid next to the tricolour wreaths of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen (ONE).
Joe Lynch, of ONE, said: "It is an honour for us to remember people who fought bravely in two world wars and who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs and their hopes."
Among the guests invited by Drogheda Mayor Michael O'Dowd were a party from Whiteabbey Royal British Legion in Co Antrim who helped pioneer the event almost a decade ago.
Royal British Legion Standards flew as ex British regular army and former UDR soldiers - along with Shankill Road representatives, including Orange Order members - and political figures from across the North - mingled with the Irish Ex Servicemen's Association for the pre-Poppy Day service of remembrance.
The guests laid wreaths to recall the men from all over the island of Ireland who were killed or wounded in the British army during the 1914-18 war.
Press Association
