More than 1,000 people gathered in Tramore, Co Waterford, yesterday to remember the four Air Corps men killed in a helicopter crash there last year.
A memorial sculpture dedicated to the crew was unveiled by the President, Mrs McAleese, who said the men had laid down their lives that others might live.
Capt Dave O'Flaherty (30), from Tullamore, Co Offaly; Capt Mick Baker (28), Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; Sgt Paddy Mooney (34), Stamullen, Co Meath and Cpl Niall Byrne (24), Killiney, Co Dublin, died when their Dauphin helicopter struck a sand dune near Tramore beach on July 2nd, 1999.
Dense fog had prevented them landing at their base at Waterford Regional Airport after a search-and-rescue mission off the coast. A joint military-civilian investigation is almost complete and a report is expected this month.
Members of the crew's families were present yesterday for the unveiling of the six-metre high stainless steel sculpture on Tramore's promenade.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith; the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieut Gen David Stapleton; and the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brig Gen Patrick Cranfield, also attended the ceremony.
Mrs McAleese said that in remembering the men in this way, the people of Tramore and the south east were speaking from the heart on behalf of all the people of Ireland. Extending a special welcome to relatives of the crew, she said monuments could not change the past or take away their pain.
"What we hope they do, though, is to let you know that your loss has not been taken lightly, that their sacrifice and yours has not been forgotten and we too are struggling to find ways of saluting that remarkable heroism and showing you that we care," she said.
Mr Michael Flynn, the chairman of Tramore Town Commissioners, who organised the event, said the granite base of the monument was designed as a seat, "encouraging us to pause for a moment . . . and to sit and reflect on our own lives and on how other people devote their lives to caring for us without asking for acknowledgement or recognition".
Following a prayer service led by the head chaplain of the Defence Forces, Monsignor John Crowley, there was spontaneous applause for a fly-past of three Marchetti aircraft. The Last Post and Reveille were played by the Band of the 1st Southern Brigade.
Mr Vincent Byrne said his son, Niall, would have been very proud of the monument, which was designed by local artist John O'Connor. Mrs Miriam Mooney, the mother of Sgt Paddy Mooney, said the event had made them sad but proud.
