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19/07/2010
McGuinness Praises WWI Soldiers
British soldiers have been praised by the Stormont Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
He said yesterday that all Irishmen who served with the British forces during the First World War should be remembered by both communities.
He was speaking as he gave the annual John Hume lecture at the Patrick MacGuill summer school - an event in Co Donegal - where he said republicans had no desire to "erase the memory of their bravery".
While speaking mainly about improvements in public services, his recognition of the soldiers' sacrifice on the bloody battlefields of France while republicans were rebelling against British rule in the Easter Rising in 1916 - will be seen as significant.
Having praised those involved in the rebellion, the senior Sinn Fein figure went on to say: "It is also right to recognise in the period ahead, the sacrifice of those Irishmen who fought in the First World War."
Mr McGuinness said that while many may "question the value of their actions," no one can set aside "the scale of the loss" or doubt the personal tragedy.
"Among the courageous Irishmen who gave their lives in that war also were those who fully believed in their actions and the choices they took," he continued.
The Derry politician - who has long been said to have led the IRA in his home city throughout most of the bloody bombings and shootings of The Troubles - said: "Their sacrifice and their loss are no less worthy of remembrance.
"The experiences of republicans, nationalists, unionists and all others form part of our collective memory."
However, Sinn Fein politicians have never attended a now established cross-border commemoration for Irishmen who fought in WWI that is held at the War Memorial in Drogheda each November.
It is attended by members of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion who carry the Legion standards which incorporates the union flag, and who last year, shared the event with their Irish equivalent number - with the Republic's ex-soldiers carrying the Irish tricolour to the interdenominational remembrance service and wreath laying.
See: 'Poppy Day' Remembrance For Drogheda
(BMcC/KMcA)
He said yesterday that all Irishmen who served with the British forces during the First World War should be remembered by both communities.
He was speaking as he gave the annual John Hume lecture at the Patrick MacGuill summer school - an event in Co Donegal - where he said republicans had no desire to "erase the memory of their bravery".
While speaking mainly about improvements in public services, his recognition of the soldiers' sacrifice on the bloody battlefields of France while republicans were rebelling against British rule in the Easter Rising in 1916 - will be seen as significant.
Having praised those involved in the rebellion, the senior Sinn Fein figure went on to say: "It is also right to recognise in the period ahead, the sacrifice of those Irishmen who fought in the First World War."
Mr McGuinness said that while many may "question the value of their actions," no one can set aside "the scale of the loss" or doubt the personal tragedy.
"Among the courageous Irishmen who gave their lives in that war also were those who fully believed in their actions and the choices they took," he continued.
The Derry politician - who has long been said to have led the IRA in his home city throughout most of the bloody bombings and shootings of The Troubles - said: "Their sacrifice and their loss are no less worthy of remembrance.
"The experiences of republicans, nationalists, unionists and all others form part of our collective memory."
However, Sinn Fein politicians have never attended a now established cross-border commemoration for Irishmen who fought in WWI that is held at the War Memorial in Drogheda each November.
It is attended by members of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion who carry the Legion standards which incorporates the union flag, and who last year, shared the event with their Irish equivalent number - with the Republic's ex-soldiers carrying the Irish tricolour to the interdenominational remembrance service and wreath laying.
See: 'Poppy Day' Remembrance For Drogheda
(BMcC/KMcA)
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