CEREMONY OF DEDICATION: ADARE MANOR, CO. LIMERICK - 2 MAY 1999:

A special dedication ceremony was held at Adare Manor, County Limerick on 2 May 1999 at the conclusion of the Irish tour of "The Wall That Heals". A memorial statue commissioned by the owner, Mr. Thomas Kane, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War was dedicated to the memory of the Irish U. S. soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who were killed or died in Vietnam. It was also dedicated to the members of The Irish Defence Forces who were killed or died on United Nations (U. N.) missions from the Congo to the Lebanon. This memorial is a striking symbol of the ultimate sacrifices which servicemen and women make in times of war and conflict. It depicts the body of a dead serviceman, wrapped in his poncho, his face covered; and nothing visible except for his right arm and combat boots; his helmet placed at his feet.

Memorial statue in the grounds of the Adare ManorHotel, County Limerick, Ireland; and dedicated to the Irish-born service personnel who died during the Vietnam War, commissioned by Mr. Thomas Kane of Adare Manor. Photograph taken by W.S.O'Shea. © 1999.

The dedication ceremony was attended by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern (The Irish Prime Minister); The U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Michael O'Sullivan; Lieutenant-General David Stapleton, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces; Major-General Larry Lust of the U.S. Army; Major-General Matthew Caulfield, United States Marine Corps; and Brigadier-General David Taylor. General-Officer-Commanding, 1 Southern Brigade, Irish Defence Forces: and was hosted by Mr.Thomas Kane.

During the ceremony, Major-General Larry Lust presented the family of Captain Landers with the two outstanding gallantry decorations, which had been awarded posthumously to him over thirty years previously. He explained to those present the significance of these awards and also stated that:

" The fact that South Vietnam no longer exists does not diminish the sacrifices made by Captain Landers and the 58,000 plus names on that wall, for they had a duty and they met that duty. I assure you that neither of these awards were passed out often or cheaply specifically to foreigners. Freedom isn't free. Citizens of a free nation enjoy their freedom because of men and women like Captain Landers."

National Order of Vietnam, 5th.Class.

Presentation of Captain Landers' Gallantry Awards.

Photograph taken by W.S.O'Shea. © 1999.

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Presentation to Mrs. Teresa Landers of Captain E. J. Landers' two outstanding gallantry decorations, awarded by The Government of The Republic of South Vietnam. Left to right - Brigadier-General D.Taylor,Irish Defence Forces; Mrs.T. Landers, Major-General L. Lust, United States Army; Chantelle Landers, and Lieutenant-General D. Stapleton, Chief-of-Staff, Irish Defence Forces.

Photograph taken by W.S.O'Shea. © 1999.
Wreaths were then laid by the Irish Prime Minister Mr.Bertie Ahern at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and at the memorial statue by Mrs. Judy Kane and representatives of The American Legion. The roll-call of the Irish-born dead was then read by Mr.Thomas Kane, after which the 'Last Post' was sounded by a trumpeter from the Band of 1 Southern Brigade of The Irish Defence Forces. The ceremony then concluded with the playing of the Irish National Anthem by the pipe band of the 1.st Southern Brigade.

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