Sir, - Like Col James Fagan (December 7th) I appreciated the memorial and parade for our men and women who served in the Lebanon. My son, Raymond, died after returning from duty there in 1981.
I worked with Maj Gen (Rtd) Vincent Savino and Lt Col (Rtd) Danny Flood in the UN Veterans Association and at many of our meetings the subject of the Military Service Allowance arose, not only for ourselves who served in the Congo, Cyprus and the earlier years in the Lebanon, but, also from the widows of our ex-comrades who served with us. But, I regret to say our appeals fell on deaf ears.
Would it not be a decent gesture at this late hour for the present Minister for Defence to implement the Gleeson Commission report and date that for those who served in the Congo, Cyprus and the early years in the Lebanon from August 1st 1990? Surely, that would be in gratitude to the men and women who served in those years.
I trust our serving men and women in the associations attached to the Defence Forces would rally behind us in this deserved cause - a small price for the loyalty accorded. - Yours, etc.
George Keenan, (former coy sgt), Finglas West, Dublin 11.