THE MAN some of us fondly call Mick the Mission will be the Commander in Chief of a parade of respect, a salute to veterans and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the Congo.
Retired Irish Defence Forces stalwart, Mick Guidera, once a resident of Fatima Place in Kilkenny City and his pal, Paddy Horohan, another army retire have planned an anniversary celebration with, surprise, surprise, military precision, for this Sunday.
A city march on May 22 will mark the 60th anniversary of Irish peacekeeping duties in the Democratic Repblic of the Congo, formerly the Repblic of Zaire, in 1962.
Veterans and their families will be joined by friends and well-wishers for a very special gathering to remember those who were brilliant ambassadors in another country, those who have passed on and those who are happily still with us.
Word from Mick the Mission to Kilkenny Press is that anyone associated with United Nations duties in the Congo will be warmly welcomed, as will veterans who did our country proud in many regions around the world over the years.
Minds of members of the greater Defence Forces family will flash back to March 7 of 1962 and will say a silent prayer for loyal soldier John Power of Dean Cavanagh Place, Kilkenny who sadly passed away in the Congo on that date.
The parade ‘off’ will be from The Kilkenny Great War Memorial, John’s Quay at 3pm and will include a marching band playing Congolese Music.
Post parade refreshments will be kindly provided for locals, guests and visitors by Johnny Holden and Paul McCabe at Cleere’s Bar, Parliament Street.
Below we publish the programme as put together by Mick and Paddy, with the support and goodwill of fellow veterans.
