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Happy Christmas from Youghal soldiers in Chad – Central Africa
Posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009If you would like to wish the Youghal men or any of the 98 Infantry Battlion a Happy Christmas please feel free to use the comment box below
The Youghal men stationed in Camp Minurcat, Chad, Africa. The soldiers would like to wish a Happy Christmas to all their families and friends back home. Pictured (L/R top row) Cpl. Tom Hennessy, L/S Johnny McGroarty (Navy), Gnr. Colm Burke, Cpl. Conor Coleman, Pte. Decky Allen, P/O Mick O'Keeffe (Navy) (L/R kneeling) Sgt. Shane Hennessy, Gnr. Craig Cooper, Cpl. Christopher Hennessy, Pte. Sean Fleming
Pictured are the Youghal Men from the 98 Infantry Battalion deployed on the UN Mission Central Republic of Africa/Chad under the command of Lt. Colonel Berney from Limerick. Their mission, as peace observers, began last September to contribute to the protection of civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons.
They help to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area.
Micilin O'Keeffe (Irish Navy) from Youghal helping to improve security in Chad
Petty Officer Chef Micilin O’Keeffe (Irish Navy) from Youghal supervises the daily running of the catering in Camp Minurcat which is located near Goz Beida, Chad. This is Micilin’s second tour of duty to Chad and said that there are also men here from Clashmore, Grange and Cappoquin. This Christmas he will have to cook for over 400 hundred Irish and 70 Finnish soldiers!
He said “People are very friendly but have very little and live in straw huts and refugee camps when they cross the border fleeing the conflict”.“It gets very hot around midday, temperatures can reach 50 degrees celsius ( Fahrenheit 122 degrees), The rainy season is from June to September, just like in Ireland at the moment!.
All the men will miss home this Christmas but are in regular contact by e mail and phone with their families back home. Christmas Eve they will celebrate Mass and Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated by military chaplain Fr. Dan McCarthy who is from the Cloyne/Ballintotas area.
Last month Mass was celebrated in Camp Minurcat within 24 hours on hearing that their colleague and fellow soldier Gnr. Graham Gillman from Youghal was ill in Cork University Hospital and hope that he recovers soon. Gnr. Gillman was stationed at Camp Minurcat with the 98 Infantry Battlion last Christmas.
If you would like to wish the Youghal men or any of the 98 Infantry Battlion a Happy Christmas please feel free to use the comment box below
Happy Christmas Declan and Beag!
Have a good new years and be safe,
Julie A
Happy Christmas to all the lads and to my husband Shane, we miss you loads and we are all counting down the days until you are home, Christmas just isn’t the same without you.
love u lots
Martha & Sean xoxoxoxoxoxox
and of course all the Hennessy’s and Carey’s
Best of luck to Shane and the rest of the lads, from all here.
Happy Christmas to all the lads from Youghal, most especially our son Shane Hennessy. We are so proud of you and miss you terribly. See you soon, Love Mam, Dad and Wayne.
Hi Mick / Dad wishing you a very happy christmas and a peaceful new year missing you loads can’t
wait to see you lots of love and kisses from Soibhan Clodagh Caitriona and Hannah. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi mick / dad wishing you a happy christmas and a new year.
Missing you loads can’t wait for you to come home
Happy Christmas to my partner Thomas who is away from home for a second christmas…..love and miss u Love Orla.xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy Christmas to our daddy who we miss and love so much,and cant wait for him to come home…….Love your 2 daughters Leah and Caitlin…xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Best of luck lads, and happy Christmas.
Enjoy the sun, you won’t be getting much of it here!
To the Brave soldiers out in Chad
Happy Christmas, first of all !!
i have great respect for all of ye, to sacrifice your time and energy over there in Chad,
The people over here in Youghal (and Dundalk where i am at the moment) are always thinking of ye and praying you’ll be home quickly