The Annual Commemorative Mass for deceased personnel of the 2 Field Artillery Regiment, 62 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA), 7 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) and 2 Air Defence Battery (FCA), took place in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, McKee Barracks on Saturday, 09 November. Commandant Richard Armstrong, assisted by the 2 Field Artillery Regiment Association, planned, organised and coordinated the successful Remembrance Day.
The Director of Operations, Colonel Brian Cleary welcomed the attendees. The celebrant was Rev Fr Bob McCabe. The organist Susan Keane was accompanied by her sisters Sally and Clare. The IUNVA Pipe Band, with Sergeant Anto Byrne (Retd) as the Pipe Major, and Instrumentalists from the Defence Forces School of Music rendered musical honours.
Following the Mass, a Wreath Laying Ceremony took place at the Flag Pole. Lieutenant Teresa Hudson was the Master of Ceremonies. Wreaths were laid by the Colonel Brian Cleary on behalf of the units, Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd) on behalf of the Artillery Club, by the 2 Field Artillery Regiment Association, the Dublin Artillery Association, the 29 Infantry Battalion Association, PDFORRA, ONE and IUNVA.
RSM Joe Scally, assisted by BQMS Paul Glifford coordinated the ceremonial. Corporal Michael Maher (Retd) played a Piper’s Lament, and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Sergeant Liam O’Driscoll and Bands Woman Aoifa Garry. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the National Anthem by the IUNVA’s Pipe Band.
Following the ceremony, attendees adjourned to the Catering Complex for refreshments.
As in previous years, the event was very well attended by both serving and retired personnel of the Artillery Corps and, in particular, by families from the Artillery Community.
Photographs courtesy of Paul Pakenham.
To view slideshow, please click on any of the photographs.
