I cried for my son at remembrance concert

I TOTALLY disagree with the views of Manus O’Riordan (Letters, November 13) on the recent remembrance concert at Cork City Hall.

I attended the event and I believe it went way beyond simply honouring the Irish who perished in the First World War.

Tears were brought to my eyes as poetry was read — poetry that had an anti-war sentiment to it. Anti any war — not just the Great War.

The tears were for my son, US Marine Sgt Matthew Fenton, who died from injuries suffered in Iraq two-and-a-half years ago. Many times during the evening it was mentioned that the concert was for all who died in any war.

The biggest fear I have is that my son will be forgotten, but perhaps with events like the one organised by Lord Mayor Brian Bermingham, I can relax.

I saw no celebration of the British army, but an attempt to remember some poor forgotten souls. And that their deaths were wasted, as history has shown. As the song aptly puts it, “man’s blind indifference to his fellow man”.

John Fenton

Church Bay

Crosshaven

Co Cork