Madam, - I was dismayed to read the letter from Séamus Ua Trodd (September 11th). Is he contending that all Irish people who join foreign armies are less Irish for that reason? If so, then he is condemning many Irish men and women, living and dead, for, as he says, "reneging on their citizenship".
On this subject, I found Julian Ellison's letter of September 5th far more reasonable and reasoned. Were men such as Francis Ledwidge, Tom Crean and Major Willie Redmond, to mention just a few, less Irish than Séamus Ua Trodd ? I don't think so.
Many Irish men and women served with the Allies in both world wars. They volunteered for such service - and who are we to pass judgement on their motives?
Recently, I visited the Flanders area where the Island of Ireland Peace Garden and Tower have been built in a magnificent rural setting. I spent time at the cemeteries where many of the Irish soldiers are buried. It was a calm sunny day and the sight of line after line of headstones was breathtaking and sad. Many names of those who could not be identified are inscribed on the memorial at the Messines Gates in the beautiful town of Ypres.
Those thousands of names from many countries brought home to me the cruelty and heartlessness of war. It was comforting to remember that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten and the graves, surrounded by many weeping willows, are lovingly and carefully maintained. Those interred here ask for nothing but to be fondly remembered and allowed to rest in peace. I quote the words of Major John McCrae: "If you break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields." - Yours, etc,
JAMES CREANE,
Furry Park Road,
Dublin 5.