Latest news with #UlsterMilitaryMemorialArchCommittee
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Memorial arch telling stories of NI people who fought in wars is unveiled in Belfast
It tells the stories of people from across Northern Ireland who served in the armed forces. Thousands lined the streets as bands and those dressed in the uniforms and clothing of the day passed by. The Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle was there for the ribbon cutting, as was Andy Allen MLA, who served in Afghanistan. 'It's an honour to be part of something like this,' he said. 'It's so important for us to remember those who fought for our country and our freedoms and I think looking at the amount of people that have come to this, it's something that's very important to the people of the Shankill Road.' The project has taken the Ulster Military Memorial Arch Committee 18 months to plan and execute. The committee is made up of veterans and community activists and the project has been funded through donations from across Northern Ireland. 'This is something that a lot of people not only in the Shankill area but across Northern Ireland wanted to see. It is a real credit to anyone that donated and it highlights the admiration people here have for our veterans,' Mr Allen said. He hopes the arch is something that people will admire on VE Day for generations to come. 'It is one of many things across the area that highlights and commemorates our veterans. There's a lot of people here today to show their support but we're very hopeful it's something people will appreciate for a very long time,' Mr Allen said. The arch showcases stories of Northern Irish veterans. Watch: East Belfast Celebrates VE Day One is Army medic Cpl Channing Day from Comber, who died in Afghanistan in 2012, aged 25. Legendary World War Two SAS leader, Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, from Co Down, is also featured. Images from the Crimean War, the First World War and the Falklands are also featured on the archway. 'It's important that we remember everyone who fought for our country's liberty and this arch is just another thing that highlights how much admiration and respect people across Northern Ireland have for all of the veterans that served our country well,' Mr Allen said. Mr Allen opened the arch alongside Trevor Clarke, a 102-year-old WW2 RAF veteran. Mr Allen said: 'It's such an honour to be alongside a World War II veteran. Those veterans showed immense bravery and faced unbelievable struggles head on. We had our own struggles in Afghanistan but they were a different kind of struggle. 'I, myself, and indeed everyone here, will be forever grateful to our soldiers that fought in World War Two as they have afforded us the freedoms and liberties we are able to enjoy today.' Following the opening of the arch, a parade of veterans, ex-service associations, cadets, faith-based youth groups, Somme Associations, local re-enactment groups and local loyal order representatives led by the Frontier Pipe Band made their way to Tennent Street for a Celebratory Concert in the Spectrum Centre.
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Memorial arch telling the stories of NI people who fought in wars is unveiled in Belfast
It tells the stories of people from across Northern Ireland who served in the armed forces. Thousands lined the streets as bands and those dressed in the uniforms and clothing of the day passed by. The Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle was there for the ribbon cutting, as was Andy Allen MLA, who served in Afghanistan. 'It's an honour to be part of something like this,' he said. 'It's so important for us to remember those who fought for our country and our freedoms and I think looking at the amount of people that have come to this, it's something that's very important to the people of the Shankill Road.' The project has taken the Ulster Military Memorial Arch Committee 18 months to plan and execute. The committee is made up of veterans and community activists and the project has been funded through donations from across Northern Ireland. 'This is something that a lot of people not only in the Shankill area but across Northern Ireland wanted to see. It is a real credit to anyone that donated and it highlights the admiration people here have for our veterans,' Mr Allen said. He hopes the arch is something that people will admire on VE Day for generations to come. 'It is one of many things across the area that highlights and commemorates our veterans. There's a lot of people here today to show their support but we're very hopeful it's something people will appreciate for a very long time,' Mr Allen said. The arch showcases stories of Northern Irish veterans. Watch: East Belfast Celebrates VE Day One is Army medic Cpl Channing Day from Comber, who died in Afghanistan in 2012, aged 25. Legendary World War Two SAS leader, Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, from Co Down, is also featured. Images from the Crimean War, the First World War and the Falklands are also featured on the archway. 'It's important that we remember everyone who fought for our country's liberty and this arch is just another thing that highlights how much admiration and respect people across Northern Ireland have for all of the veterans that served our country well,' Mr Allen said. Mr Allen opened the arch alongside Trevor Clarke, a 102-year-old WW2 RAF veteran. Mr Allen said: 'It's such an honour to be alongside a World War II veteran. Those veterans showed immense bravery and faced unbelievable struggles head on. We had our own struggles in Afghanistan but they were a different kind of struggle. 'I, myself, and indeed everyone here, will be forever grateful to our soldiers that fought in World War Two as they have afforded us the freedoms and liberties we are able to enjoy today.' Following the opening of the arch, a parade of veterans, ex-service associations, cadets, faith-based youth groups, Somme Associations, local re-enactment groups and local loyal order representatives led by the Frontier Pipe Band made their way to Tennent Street for a Celebratory Concert in the Spectrum Centre.
