Madam, - As someone who proudly took part in many Easter military parades until they were discontinued, I heard the news that they were to resume with mixed feelings.
For myself, the parade was an occasion of both pride and acute embarrassment. To march past the hallowed GPO with Army bands playing, to the applause of thousands of citizens, was a stirring experience indeed and definitely something to remember. The downside was that most of the units involved found it difficult to march in step - mainly because many units had to fall in behind pipe bands. These are wonderful to listen to and look at, but not ideal for maintaining a crisp parade rate of foot drill.
My worst memory is of crossing O'Connell Bridge as a semi-rabble before the beat of the Army No.1 Band opposite the saluting base restored some order to the ranks. I also recall artillery-towing trucks breaking down on Parnell Square, much to the amusement of the viewing public.
I hope that the present-day Defence Forces are better trained, better equipped, and better drilled than their predecessors (including myself), and that they will give us a show worth going to see. - Yours, etc,
ANDY JONES, Portmanna, Co Meath.
Madam, It was with no little disgust that I read the letter from Joe Lynch (October 25th) on the revival of an Easter 1916 commemoration. To suggest, as he does, that Fianna Fáil "crushed traditional republicanism by harassment, draconian laws, imprisonment and executions" is to belittle a government that saved Ireland from the ravages of war.
I would like to remind Mr Lynch that many of those IRA men with whom he so clearly identifies faced capital punishment for the murder of gardaí(parallels will not be lost on the family of Det Jerry McCabe). De Valera, in showing clemency to Thomas MacSweeney when commuting his sentence of execution to life imprisonment for the murder of a garda in Cork, attempted to prompt IRA members to dump arms. His good intentions were not reciprocated.
Two IRA members, who were released following their decision to end a hunger strike in 1939 murdered two detective gardaí in August 1940. Later, no less a figure than Charlie Kerins, the IRA's chief of staff from 1942-1944, shot and killed a garda and was executed as a result. De Valera and Gerald Boland took tough actions during the second World War to ensure Ireland's policy of neutrality. Mr Lynch would do well to remember that Paul Woerman, the director of the German foreign minister's political division, wrote to Hitler's foreign minister Ribbentrop in 1940 saying, "The IRA is a natural ally of Germany."
Fianna Fáil's intentions in regard to the revival of an Easter 1916 commemoration are honourable. The Fianna Fáil party, unlike others, does not claim sole ownership of 1916. However, our party has a proud republican heritage - something to be cherished rather than tip-toed around. - Yours, etc,
BARRY ANDREWS TD, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The proposed commemorations of the Easter Rising savour of regressive restorationism and reveal a lack of historical imagination. The magic of 1916, so potent up to 50 years ago, has worn off. If we try to define our identity by reference to 1916 as a sacred founding event, we will only saddle ourselves with a rancid simulacrum.
The exploitation of 1916 by the most dangerous elements in Irish society will not be stopped by attempting to steal their thunder. Rather, this will expose the Government to the charge of token republicanism from those who see themselves as the true guardians of the flame.
If a commemorative civil holiday is needed (in addition to the all-purpose March 17th), I suggest it should be one that broadens our sense of Ireland's role in Europe and the world. Some such title as Constitution Day or Culture Day might be appropriate, or even perhaps a Celebrating Our Diversity Day. - Yours, etc,
JOSEPH S. O'LEARY, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.