New support centre for Defence Forces veterans in Tullamore
In recent years, membership of the Tullamore branch of the National Organisation of Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) has increased to over 20 members.
Mindful of the need to provide an opportunity for members to meet on a weekly basis, ONE has entered into a partnership with Tullamore Family and Community Resource Centre, in Arden View, which will facilitate Defence Force veterans' meetings on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm.
The local ONE branch said a key objective of the establishment of the veteran support centre was to provide social activities on a weekly basis in a comfortable and pleasant environment for its members, who are retired members of the Defence Forces living in the locality.
The veteran support centre "will act as a conduit for peer-to-peer support, and provide training and education opportunities to assist veterans in managing everyday life obstacles," the ONE branch said.
The provision of this new veteran support centre will also provide services to all service veterans, not just members of ONE's Tullamore branch.
Comradeship is a primary focus of ONE and the opening of the new veteran support centre is expected to provide opportunities to build and sustain comradeship within the veteran community.
Remembrance is another important objective of ONE, and the Tullamore branch organises an annual remembrance ceremony to remember deceased members.
The Tullamore branch of ONE is currently seeking new members. Membership of ONE is open to personnel with at least one year's satisfactory service in: the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), the Reserve Defence Force (RDF); Ex-service personnel of the Civil Defence; Ex-service members of An Garda Síochána; and Ex-service personnel of the Irish Red Cross.
The 2026 AGM of the Tullamore branch will take place at 8pm on Wednesday next, February 11, in the Tullamore Family and Community Resource Center, Arden View (Eircode: R35 YF57).
Paul Cooley, ONE's National President, will attend and address the meeting.
Personnel interested in joining ONE are requested to contact any Tullamore Branch member. All potential members are welcome to attend the AGM and comrades are being reminded that: "As individuals we stand alone, together as veterans we are ONE".