Fermanagh people involved with the recent American WWII commemorative events in the county were invited by U.S. Consul General Gregory Burton to his Independence Day event in Belfast on Friday.

Those in attendance at his residence at Ardnavally included local members of the clergy, D-Day veteran Bill Eames, Enniskillen Rotary President Roy Crawford, Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Luis McQuade, and Selwyn Johnston, Nigel Johnston and Alan Devers of Headhunters Railway Museum. The occasion was also attended by Liam Wallace, Derrylin from the Wartime Living History Association which provided WWII Jeeps and uniformed GIs.

The theme was ‘Honouring the bonds forged between our peoples during WWII’ and the Consul General acknowledged that he was truly inspired by the two commemorative events which he had attended in Fermanagh.

Prior to the event starting, Mr. Burton unveiled a granite plinth at an oak tree gifted from Fermanagh which was specially planted to remember all the U.S. soldiers who were stationed in Northern Ireland, many of whom were killed or injured during WWII. Mr. Burton was accompanied by Roger Edmondson and his wife Ann who had organised the tree planting ceremony at the Consul’s residence.

In his Independence Day speech to over 500 invited guests, Mr. Burton highlighted the kindness that Northern Ireland people had shown to U.S. soldiers who were stationed there during WWII. In particular he referred to the 70th Anniversary of General Eisenhower’s visit to Celtic Park and Portora Playing Fields.

Mr. Burton also outlined that he had visited the Graan Monastery at which the Flying Fortress ‘Galley Uncle’ crashed, killing seven airmen.

He spoke about the commemorative event which he attended at Crom Castle to mark the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the planting of 22 oak trees at former U.S. bases in Fermanagh.