Message From President Higgins For The 75th Anniversary Of The Naval Service
As President of Ireland and Supreme Commander, may I extend my best wishes to each and every member of our Naval Service as you mark the 75th Anniversary of An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh.
Across those 75 years, the Irish Naval Service has been an unfailingly courageous and professional component of our Defence Forces, serving Ireland with pride and generous commitment.
As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, I welcome this opportunity to recognise and commend the many crew members of our Irish naval vessels who have, since 1946, made such a valuable, indeed crucial, contribution to our society.
On behalf of the people of Ireland, I thank you for your constant and reassuring presence throughout Ireland’s maritime jurisdiction, protecting both our marine assets and the safety and rights of our citizens.
I also thank you, especially, for the remarkable spirit of human solidarity you extend to citizens across the globe through your missions to overseas peace support operations, and the vital role you have played in so many humanitarian search and rescue operations.
All of us, citizens of Ireland, must always be deeply aware of the personal sacrifice such generous commitment has required, and continues to require, from our crew members past and present and their families, and of how selflessly that sacrifice has always been offered in the service of the State.
Those who join the Naval Service demonstrate a strength of character, a courage and a commitment to their country that marks out some of the finest role models in life, being those who believe in a fully engaged citizenship, placing the welfare of others at the heart of what they do.
On a more personal note, may I express my gratitude for the significant role played by members of the Naval Service in the running of official functions at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Your great respect for the requirements of state representation have been demonstrated time and again throughout my Presidency, and is expressed on a daily basis through the impressive service provided by those of my Aides-de-Camp who are members of the Naval Service.
Today, as we reflect on the long and rich history of An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh, we can do so with every confidence that its members will continue to serve Ireland with pride and professionalism.
Indeed, as we celebrate this 75th anniversary, we can also celebrate a spirit of citizenship that has been called forth by the pandemic, a spirit that augurs well for this country as we work together to craft our new, post-Covid future.
It will, I greatly hope, be a future built on the spirit of co-operation, real participation and will to make our country a better place for all its citizens, values that so define the work of the Irish Naval Service.
I thank you for that generous and dedicated work, and wish each and every one of you happiness and success for the future.
