02/06/2004
NI war heroes revisit WW2 battlefields
Northern Ireland war heroes are set to make an emotional return journey to battlefields where they fought 60 years ago thanks to grants from the Big Lottery Fund.
Today’s first round of grants from the Fund’s £10 million Heroes Return programme will allow six NI veterans to make the journey overseas with their spouses and carers to commemorate the battles they fought and the comrades they lost during the Second World War.
Announcing the grants Joanne McDowell from the Big Lottery Fund said: “As we move towards the 60th anniversary of the Second World War this might be the last chance for many veterans to travel overseas to commemorate one of the most significant events in their lives.
“Thanks to this funding ex-servicemen across Ireland, along with their spouses and carers, will be able to renew friendships, relive and share past glories and tragedies and pay respect to fallen comrades.
“A huge debt of gratitude and recognition is owed to these men and women and I am delighted that we are able to remember their bravery and heroism through the Heroes Return programme.”
Veterans across Ireland can apply to the Heroes Return scheme as part of a veterans group or as individuals embarking on their own overseas commemorative trip.
Today’s grants totalling £3,530 are being made to six veterans from Belfast, Portrush, Lurgan and North Down who are making trips to battlefields, villages and war memorials France this week which hold special memories for them.
(MB)
Today’s first round of grants from the Fund’s £10 million Heroes Return programme will allow six NI veterans to make the journey overseas with their spouses and carers to commemorate the battles they fought and the comrades they lost during the Second World War.
Announcing the grants Joanne McDowell from the Big Lottery Fund said: “As we move towards the 60th anniversary of the Second World War this might be the last chance for many veterans to travel overseas to commemorate one of the most significant events in their lives.
“Thanks to this funding ex-servicemen across Ireland, along with their spouses and carers, will be able to renew friendships, relive and share past glories and tragedies and pay respect to fallen comrades.
“A huge debt of gratitude and recognition is owed to these men and women and I am delighted that we are able to remember their bravery and heroism through the Heroes Return programme.”
Veterans across Ireland can apply to the Heroes Return scheme as part of a veterans group or as individuals embarking on their own overseas commemorative trip.
Today’s grants totalling £3,530 are being made to six veterans from Belfast, Portrush, Lurgan and North Down who are making trips to battlefields, villages and war memorials France this week which hold special memories for them.
(MB)
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