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The Orange Order organised a special event, on Tuesday,
September 21, to highlight the impact of terrorism on the
Institution.
A total of 335 members of the Orange Order were murdered
during the Troubles, many of them while serving in the security
forces. The figure accounts for almost one in ten of the people
killed during the Troubles.
The United Nations designated September 21 each year as International
Day of Peace and the Grand Orange Lodge organised a special
event to brief opinion formers about the cost of terrorism.
David Hume, Director of Services, said:
"Our experience has shown that the Protestant community,
for a variety of reasons, has been unwilling to publicly tell
the story of terrorism's impact on it over the decades. We
believe it is important this story is both told and heard
so that a healing process can take place and that a level
of closure can be brought to bear.
"The future can only be built stronger if the pain and
suffering of the innocent victims of terrorism is remembered,
understood and appreciated.
"At the start of the Troubles, the Orange Order encouraged
members to play their part in protecting the wider community
by serving in the security forces. Unfortunately many paid
the ultimate sacrifice.
"Others died while going about their daily lives and
some were murdered because they were Orangemen.
"Almost one in ten of the people who lost their lives
during the Troubles were in the Orange Institution and we
believe this gives us an insight into how victims feel.
"Last year, we organised a tour of Co. Down and Co.
Armagh, including a visit to Tullyvallen Orange Hall where
five Orangemen were shot by republicans during a meeting.
"The people who took part in that tour were from all
walks of life and from different organisations in Northern
Ireland. They were moved by what they saw and found out and
we thought it was appropriate this year to visit Co. Tyrone
which also saw considerable violence."
The bus tour on September 21 visited several locations where
Orangemen were murdered and those on the trip met families
of the victims.
The visit included Killyman Orange Hall, which has a plaque
commemorating 15 local Orangemen murdered during the Troubles.
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