Raymond Heery

The tragic death occurred on Thursday 6 May 2004 of one of Ballinacree's most popular young men.  Second Lieutenant Raymond Heery a pilot with the Air Corps died when the Cessna plane he was piloting crashed after take off from an airfield at Clonbullogue, in Co. Offaly.  

Hundreds attended his funeral in Ballinacree Church.  The chief celebrant from the Air Corps Fr. Brendan Madden said "At just 21 years of age the world was at Raymond's feet.  He had it all before him, little knowing his days were brutally numbered".  He spoke about Raymond's passion for aviation and his love of football, having played with the Ballinacree GAA team.

Raymond was buried with full military honours, including a 21 gun salute.  Three planes flew overhead in the shape of a cross.  Mourners watched as the aircraft formed the poignant "Missing Man" formation over the cemetery, as his casket - draped in the Tricolour, with his cap on top, was carried by Air Corps officers.  

Raymond, who lived for flying was due to line out that evening for his local GAA team, St. Brigid's Ballinacree in a Meath Junior B Football Championship game as full back. 

Raymond's death in the line of duty as an officer of the Air Corps is a tragedy for his family and loved ones, as well as a loss to his comrades and his country.  He joined the Defence Forces in September 2000 and was commissioned as a Flying Officer in December 2002.  

When this life I'm in is done,
And at the gates I stand,
My hope is that I answer all
His questions on command.

I doubt He'll as me of my fame,
Or all the things I knew. Instead,
He'll ask of rainbows sent
On rainy days I flew.

The hours logged, the status reached,
The ratings will not matter.
He'll ask me if a saw the rays
And how He made them scatter.

Or what about the droplets clear,
I spread across your screen?
And did you see the twinkling eyes.
If student pilots keen?

The way your heart jumped in your chest,
That special solo day -
Did you take time to thank the one
Who fell along the way

Remember how the runway lights
Looked one night long ago
When you were lost and found your way,
And how-you still don't know?

How fast, how far, how much, how high?
He'll ask me not these things
But did I take the time to watch
The moonbeams wash my wings?

And did you see the patchwork fields
And mountains I did mould;
The mirrored lakes and velvet hills,
Of these did I behold?

The wind he flung along my wings,
On final almost stalled
And did I know I it was His name,
That I so fearfully called?

And when the goals are reached at last,
When all the flyings' done,
I'll answer Him with no regret-
Indeed, I had some fun.

So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher,
My prayer this day - His hand extends
To welcome home a Flyer -