Derry Volunteers commemoration - Weekend of events

The Derry Republican Graves Association are to hold a number of events in Derry  as part of the Annual Volunteers commemorations which takes place this coming weekend (Saturday 27 -Sunday 28 June)
The theme of this years events will be “40 Years of unbroken and undefeated struggle remember our patriot dead”.
Former republican hunger striker and now Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle, Raymond McCartney said:
“This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bogside. In 1969 young men and women took to the streets of Derry and began the final battle for justice, equality, and freedom. In the intervening years many gave their lives for that continuing struggle as Volunteers in the Derry Brigade Óglaigh na hÉireann.
On Sunday 28 June 2009 the republican community in Derry will be honouring and remembering all those Volunteers in the Annual Commemoration. I would ask people to assemble at the Creggan shops at 2.30pm before proceeding to the city cemetery
Later in the evening the annual Graves Association prize draw will take place in the Gasyard at 7.00pm everyone is welcome to attend
There  will  also be  a number of events taking place on Saturday. Ógra Shinn Féin ‘Na Fianna Martyrs Cumann’ Doire will be holding an event to honour Derry’s Republican Youth and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Na Fianna Éireann
People are asked to assemble at the Shantallow  shops for  2.30pm for the unveiling of a new mural to National Fianna Eireann Roll of Honour from 1969 - 1981 and  book launch and presentation to the fallen Fian and Óglach families.
Cllr Elisha McLaughlin, former Ógra Shinn Féin organiser will also be making a speech on the importance of young republicans getting active in the struggle, and the proud history of republican youth in Derry.
The mural will be unveiled by one of the local Fian’s family members, and all families will be presented with a special edition book by Martin McGuinness, Martina Anderson, Raymond McCartney and Mitchell Mc Laughlin as well as the young Ógra activists who made the book.