Madam, - My proudest moment was back in 1932 when I walked in procession as an altar boy at the Eucharistic Congress in the Phoenix Park. That is, until last Saturday night when I had the wonderful experience of parading with my special friends into Croke Park. I was overwhelmed by the thunderous welcome and applause.
I am no stranger to parades. Over the years I marched in London's Victory Parade as a veteran of the second World War. I paraded on the Normandy beaches also with the vets and I had the wonderful experience of parading with the First Irish Special Olympic Team in Brockport, New York, in 1978 - all proud moments; but none could equal last Saturday night in Croke Park. I am so happy that the Good Lord spared me long enough to enjoy and participate in such an historic and joyful occasion.
I remember when Muhammad Ali came to our Olympic Village in 1978. Our Irish team, sixteen in all, had never seen a real live black man and were fascinated, as he was himself, by their reaction. He returned the next day especially to see his Irish friends. I recall shaking his hand and remarking how proud I felt to be shaking the hand that "shook the world". Last Saturday night I again shook his, alas feeble, hand and welcomed him to Ireland. He spoke to me with his still so alert and beautiful eyes. Golden moments.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would have the privilege of hosting the Games. All my dreams have come true. I took this week free from all duties and bought myself and my mountain bike to Dublin and so far I have managed to attend most of the venues including the wonderful concert and "hooley" in Blanchardstown. There is a wonderful feeling around the city, not alone with the athletes but with the thousands of volunteers, busmen, police and army. The RDS is a must visit for anyone who can, especially for children and all for free.
Please God we have recaptured our almost lost warm Irish hearts, emotion and hospitality and will continue to live this beautiful dream. - Yours, etc.,
Bro COLUMBANUS, OFM, Franciscan Friary, Waterford.
Madam, - Much has been written about the tremendous spirit of community displayed in the organisation and running of the Special Olympics and rightly so, but the impression may be given that this spirit has been dormant or even extinct in Ireland. On the contrary, many people's daily life is entirely dependent on the good will and hard work of volunteers, whether as individuals or as part of an organisation.
Every day, thousands of people give their time freely in countless ways be it in organising sporting activities for children, visiting the elderly or infirm, animal rescue and so on.
It is entirely appropriate that the needs of a community are satisfied by members of that same community and it is plain to see that there is no shortage of people ready and able to do that work.
It would serve the Government and the nation well if there was a Minister whose only responsibility was to promote the aims of volunteers and voluntary organisations, to remove any obstacles in their path, be they legal, administrative or financial, and to encourage communities to improve their lot by making them aware of good work being done elsewhere. - Yours, etc.,
RON WOOD, Seapark, Malahide, Co Dublin.