Looking forward and promoting Falklands’ younger generation
As the years pass, Veterans and Islanders alike who were caught up in the Falklands War, are getting older; many, regrettably are no longer with us. Age takes its toll, and sadly a number of potential guests declined due to failing health, reads the message from Lewis Clifton OBE, Chairman of the 2012 Committee.
This 30th Anniversary of Liberation is likely to be the last significant anniversary for some time; in 2007 the Ministry of Defence confirmed that it would only commit to supporting the 50th Anniversary in 2032, in accordance with UK policy.
The Falklands receive increasing numbers of returning Veterans annually; the work of the South Atlantic Medal Association (both the FI and UK Trusts) and the Falklands Veterans’ Foundation with appreciative utilisation of Liberty Lodge is supported by the Ministry of Defence providing affordable airfares for SAMA medal holders.
During 2012 further generous reductions in airfare costs allow Veterans, close family and next‐of‐kin to visit. In November the Islands will host another Veterans’ Pilgrimage, with more than 100 Veterans visiting for the first time since 1982.
While the Falkland Islands Government financially assists in underwriting Liberation Anniversary events, and supports the Veterans’ Pilgrimage, the execution of these events would not be possible without generous support and assistance from the Falklands community who give freely of their time, and open their hospitality doors in the best of Falkland Islands tradition.
A number of social and community events are planned for our guests and, weather permitting, they should see a wide cross‐section of the community both in Camp and Stanley. Official invitations have been issued for formal functions, but regrettably it is not possible to invite everyone to a function, save of course for the day of events on 14th June, which commences with the Thanksgiving Service in Christ Church Cathedral, the Act of Remembrance, the Civic Reception and the afternoon and evening of community events, co‐ordinated by Sealed PR, in the FIDF Halls.
The Commander British Forces has kindly arranged for the Salamanca Band of the Rifles to be with us; the Band will also support the Liberation Songs of Praise on Sunday 17th June in Christ Church Cathedral.
The focus of the 30th Anniversary of Liberation Year has been to look forward while acknowledging and promoting the younger generation, who have proudly taken up the mantle of leadership and commitment to the economic and political development of our Islands. The foundation stones of our development are firmly constructed upon the legacy of human sacrifice to restore our Freedom in 1982. A twenty‐four page colour booklet, Our Islands, Our Home, succinctly portrays how far our Islands have advanced in 30 years. We all have much to be proud of and grateful for.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to serving HM Armed Forces personnel for their steadfast protection of our homeland, and to successive British Governments who, since 1982, resolutely support and promote our right to determine our own political future.
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than argentine CFK supporters, is it not .
With the announced referendum, the world, the United Nations (and Argentina) will see that the Islanders wishes are paramount (under the UN Charter) and they do not want to be part of Argentina. They cannot be forced to be what they do not want to be, as that would be arrogant colonialism - which is what Argentina hypocritically preaches.
I have no doubt that the citizens of the islands, from whatever country they originated will decide to remain British. They feel safe and secure as British and (unlike Argentina) we will respect the rights and wishes of the Islanders, as the Falkland Islands are their home.
So what? Britsh people are entitled to emigrate to the Falkland Islands.
Next Searinox, you will tell me that Argentina does not accept people that are not Argentine to live in Argentina.
Emigration happens all over the world, including to the Falkland Islands. Live with it.
Yet another ill informed Argentinian who thinks he knows everything about the Falklands but takes no trouble at all to check his 'facts' are true.
Searinox you are talking rubbish. Please take the time to ensure you are properly informed before you make a fool of yourself again.
Mel Gibson Braveheart is my favorite film all the English in it are evil, gay, ugly, cowards! Mel Gibson knows the truth his family was from ireland, they know how the Scotch feel about English occupation and he will lead Scotch to independence.
Illegal population in Malvinas will be removed.
Its been thirty years stop whinging
We dont love we dont want you.
As for the Scottish, there is going to be a referendum in 2014 and the Scots will be able to decide for themselves if they wish to remain part of the Union or become independent. There is no pressure on the people and the Scots will decide their own destiny. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Argentinians accepted the result of the Falklands referendum and left them alone?
@1 - I'm sure someone will have the stats for FI-born children who return to the Falklands but, as far as I could tell from reading articles about the community and from young people I know who were born there, many, many of them love the Islands and look forward to returning.
The fact is that many have to go to the UK (and other countries) for secondary school and Uni but I would guess that about half of them find their way back again.
As for the new immigrants- there are so many from different countries, as diverse as Chile, Russia, New Zealand and Spain. There are very few who do not embrace the Islands way of life and the local community culture because it is pleasant, civilised and safe (as well as being prosperous).
To grow a community of 3,000 organically will take decades, so the import of a few outsiders, whether from UK or elsewhere is a good thing and no different to any other country (including those of the S. American continent).
I don't know where this Argentinian myth about transplanted populations comes from but all the immigrants I know came to the Falklands of their own free will and are free to leave at any time. There is no assistance, encouragement or incentive to re-locate to the Falklands and there are certainly no civilian residents who live there because they were placed there by any outside force or agency.
@7 “Who is this old man?” Whassamatter, you can't read? As for the rest; do you think you're hard enough? Just think what British Forces could do to you NOW!
Crime has rose and narco dealers flourish everywhere?
“Crime has rose and narco dealers flourish everywhere?” That's nice. I quite like roses. Except for the thorns. If “Crime has rose”, who is Crime? Your new girlfriend? Or boyfriend? Or itfriend? But, taking the comment overall and injecting intelligence and the ability to spell (both missing), where? Increasing crime and loads of narco dealers should suit you quite well. Just like home, eh? But you can't go to Britain or the Falkland Islands because we both try to keep sh*te out of our countries. Why not try argieland? They're full of sh*te already and won't notice a bit more in a bun!
@15 I have thought, in the past, that honest people should have a means of agreeing to “freeze out” the sort of people you have just identified. But I suggest that there are problems. Firstly, a number of these trolls are obviously government-funded. As a result, they can keep on coming, changing identities in a moment. Then there are times when they come out with something so outrageous, that someone has to respond or they crow that they have “won”. My personal disdain and disgust is quite catholic. Malviner01, Marcus Alejandro (Mike Bingham), alex_arg, Searinox, Dany_Berger, British_Kirchnerist, Think are all pretty much wastes of space. They rarely write anything sensible, add nothing to any discussion, are clearly bigoted nationalists and would be pushed to accommodate a peanut-sized brain. On the other hand, they are frequently hilarious. Perhaps the easiest way would simply be to respond to the number of their post(s) with the single word “Troll” and then have everyone decline to enter into lengthy exchanges.
But then, we're free. Something that argies and their supporters wouldn't understand.
Oh! Poor you mate, I understand how difficult for you would be to be unemployed and living under benefit in Ukistan but don’t worry I don’t blame you.
I feel so sorry for you especially after reading latest news, seems Euro crisis is knocking at your door.
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/11/euro-crisis-happening-britain-too
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/15/glasgow-east-end-people-not-pampered
www.facebook.com/Britain1592
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