‘Soldier Sam’ laid to relaxation with full navy honours

Mourners on the funeral Mass for Non-public Sam Hayden Kilroe have been informed this week that he “liked his life and significantly his military life” and had “discovered pleasure and given pleasure” to everybody he met.

Throughout a robust homily on the Mass for the 22-year outdated soldier, who handed away on Sunday evening final, November 20, following a courageous battle with sickness, Appearing Defence Forces Chaplain at Custume Barracks, Athlone and concelebrant, Fr Gerry Carroll, described the younger man as “inspirational” and suggested all these current within the church to “get busy dwelling”.

Simply as he had discovered nice pleasure in fulfilling his lifelong want to be a part of the Defence Forces in 2019, the tragic younger soldier was accorded full navy honours at his funeral, together with gun carriage, Army band, volley of pictures over his grave, final put up and reveille. The ceremonial components additionally included a bearer get together, firing get together and a 30-soldier escort.

Over 90 personnel from his regiment in Athlone – the two Brigade Artillery Regiment – attended his funeral Mass, together with a lot of representatives from different items stationed in Custume Barracks and lots of the troopers with whom he skilled and who at the moment are stationed in items all through the nation.

His coffin was draped within the nationwide flag and a celebration of pall bearers drawn from the Defence Forces ceremonially accompanied the stays of their colleague from the church to a ready gun carriage for the journey to his closing resting place in Durrow cemetery, outdoors the city.

In a deeply poignant gesture, members of the Army Band led the gun carriage with the late Non-public Hayden Kilroe’s stays by means of the streets of his beloved Tullamore. The cortage was accompanied by giant numbers of his Defence Forces colleagues who marched alongside in navy uniform.

Chief celebrant on the funeral Mass, Rev. Fr. Sean Heaney, paid tribute to the various Defence Forces personnel in attendance and counseled them for the “nice dignity and solemnity” they’d delivered to what was “a really unhappy event.”

Among the many symbols delivered to the altar to symbolize the lifetime of the younger soldier have been his cell phone, representing his fixed communication with household and mates; a dumbell, to suggest his love of well being and health; an image of his beloved canine, Penney, to suggest his love of animals and nature; his Ps controller, signifying his love of gaming and know-how and an image of his beloved household, whom he cherished.

In his homily, Fr. Gerry Carroll recounted a latest go to to graveyards in France and Belgium the place 1000’s of younger troopers who died in World Conflict 1 are buried. Whereas there, he got here throughout a mirrored image written by a soldier who survived the battle of the Somme, however whose buddy perished. As he lay dying within the midst of the “mayhem and carnage” the younger man may hear “an orchestra taking part in, a choir singing and his heavenly father calling him dwelling.”

Addressing Sam’s dad and mom, Hilary and John, his brothers Matthew and Ross and his sister, Sophie, Fr. Carroll mentioned “Is not it unusual that this younger dying soldier, within the midst of demise and destruction, was not experiencing worry, not experiencing mayhem, he was experiencing an incredible peace, and he was not alone, his father was ready. That’s what Sam skilled, and he shall be ready for you. We thank God for Sam’s life.”

He added that all of us will expertise demise, and after we do, we higher have the ability to reply two questions “Did you discover pleasure and did you give pleasure, and I’ve little doubt that Sam would reply each of these questions within the affirmative” he mentioned.

Prayers of the Devoted included prayers for the “exceptional kindness, humour, life and love” that Sam Hayden Kilroe had delivered to the hearts of his household; for the medical doctors, nurses, chaplain and employees of St. Vincent’s Non-public Hospital who had cared for him throughout his sickness; for all those that had gone earlier than him, together with his beloved Nanny Hayden; for younger those who they could all the time worth love, friendship and kindness and for the various form neighbours and mates who had supported the household all through Sam’s sickness.

Mourners have been additionally informed that Sam Hayden Kilroe’s household and mates had many names for him, together with “Sambo, Samson, Sam I Am and his personal private favorite which was Soldier Sam.”

Sam’s grandfather, Tom Hayden, learn a brief communion reflection, a poem known as “The Life That I Have” by Leo Marks which he poignantly informed mourners he had additionally learn “lower than six months in the past” on the funeral Mass for his spouse and Sam’s beloved grandmother, Joan. In a faltering voice, he bid a closing farwell to his adored grandson with the heartbreaking phrases “Sam fly excessive, and bear in mind you’ll by no means develop outdated, you’ll be perpetually younger, and we’ll all the time love you.”

Among the many many glowing tributes paid to the late Sam Hayden Kilroe this week was one from Killina Secondary College, who described their previous pupil because the “definitive gentleman, all the time pleasant, all the time form” who quietly obtained on with college in his personal “self-possessed, unassuming, genial method” and whose presence “illuminated and enhanced so many lives.”

Dochas Offaly Most cancers Assist Service described him as “a exceptional younger man” who, solely three weeks earlier than his demise had organised a Halloween fundraiser that has raised nearly €15,000 thus far for Dochas. “We hope Sam knew the distinction it will make to so many individuals and so many households within the Midlands and we thank his from the underside of our hearts for his unimaginable kindness and generosity” the assertion mentioned.

The Irish Defence Forces additionally paid a touching tribute to their colleague, who certified as an Artillery Gunner whereas he was stationed in Athlone from 2020 to 2022, the place he offered very important help to the HSE and different businesses in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Regardless of his profession being tragically reduce quick by an sickness he confronted bravely, his sense of humour, kindness and willingness to all the time help to his colleagues shall be fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of serving with him” the tribute learn.

Might he relaxation in peace.