Remembering our patriot dead? -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Sun, Mar 23 2008, 17:15:11 PDT
Author: Disappointed Republican family
Subject: Remembering our patriot dead?

LETTER TO LOCAL EDITOR

A Chara,
On Easter Sunday members of our immediate and extended family visited the graves of close relatives and former friends. One in particular was an active member of the Irish Volunteers who with other former ex-prisoners and prominent figures, e.g. the late Sean Dolan, later served on the Derry Brigade Staff, Oglaigh Na h-Eireann. Both men gave long and faithful service to other organisations such as the GAA.

In addition, the distinctive memorial Celtic Cross has at its centre the original badge of the Volunteers and in years gone by a flag pole was kindly placed there by some organisation in Derry. We do not know which one as we received no written communication.

We contribute annually to at least one graves association. We were led to believe that bodies such as these would at the very lease ensure that the Irish tri-colour would be flown at Easter and that no republican graves were ever ignored.

Our family do not know if the flag was flown at the grave on previous Easter Sundays as we usually go on a short break at this time of year. We do visit on birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and on father�s and mother�s day. We noted also that the rope on the flag-pole was either removed or stolen some time ago. We were told that the ropes were often taken away when the flags were taken down but always replaced. Sadly, this Easter we saw no rope replacement. We are now in a situation where we do not know what to believe from fellow republicans in Derry even though they are aware we often donate to bodies that care for patriots� last resting places, wherever in Ireland.

We hope that no other �Old IRA� families will have experienced our disappointment this year or ever will again in the Easters to come. Surely someone somewhere has an explanation? Why should the flag be flown at most republican graves, and not some?
The veterans of the War for Independence and the Second Defence of the Republic against partition surely deserve better from all and any group which has taken on the task of raising these flags at this pivotal time of remembrances. Or is it a matter of �parity of esteem� for some, and not for others? We pray not!

Disappointed Republican family
Address supplied

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