A CHARITY which runs homes for ex-servicemen and women who have fallen on hard times has a regular waiting list of about 10 people for its Dublin home.
The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (One) launched its fuchsia symbol yesterday as part of fundraising plan to allow it to expand its services.
The charity works with former members of the Army, Navy and Air Corps who have experienced problems such as homelessness, unemployment, alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Its chief executive Ollie O’Connor said the charity was hoping that the fuchsia would become an instantly recognisable symbol of remembrance, similar to the poppy in Britain.
“We would love to think that some day people on television in Ireland would wear the fuchsia like they wear the poppy in England,” he said.
Fuchsia badges stamped with the word “Cuimhnimis”, (let us remember) will be sold in the days around July 12th at venues around the country and contributions can also be made through the One website (www.oneconnect.ie).
The charity spends €600,000 every year running its homes in Dublin, Athlone and Letterkenny and is also hoping to take over another facility in Limerick. Most of its funds come from events such as raffles and church gate collections.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea said he was keen to encourage the ongoing discussions between One and his department on making services for former servicemen and women more accessible.
He said the services provided by One “go well beyond a comfortable bed and three good meals a day. You also provide a welcoming environment of comradeship and shared experiences, which welcomes your residents to a natural home environment where they are assured of dignity and respect”.
The provision of homes for former soldiers began after three ex-servicemen died on the streets of Dublin during a severe winter some years ago. Ten members of One remortgaged their homes to raise money to provide a home for homeless servicemen.
Gerald Landers of One said homelessness was one of the main problems for people seeking help from the charity. The nature of barracks life and overseas duty meant that some people found they had neither family nor a home when they were discharged.
Finding work could also be difficult, he said, as there was a reluctance to employ ex-servicemen. The charity is also open to women, but as they joined the armed forces relatively recently, One has not been asked to provide accommodation for ex-servicewomen.
Tony Pennie (59) has been staying at the Queen Street home for about two years. He spent 28 years in the Army and reserve Defence Forces but fell on hard times in recent years.
He said he felt very lucky to get a place at the home. While the Army was well equipped with counsellors and other help, he said there was very little support once you left.
He served in Lebanon and said it had affected him deeply.
“There should be social workers. I saw things overseas that I wouldn’t talk about to anyone because they wouldn’t believe you. I remember a young Lebanese lad on a hill and he was blown up by a mine. I had to collect his body parts. Terrible things happened. ”
Former Navy man John Murray is also staying at the Dublin home. He served in the early 1980s but never forgot the comradeship. When his marriage broke up and he lost his job, he heard about homes for servicemen and got a place in Queen Street.
“All the lads here look after each other,” he said. “It’s great to have something to fall back on. The camaraderie is still there. I don’t think that after you leave the service you ever lose that.”
