Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands, an Islander’s perspective
As the Falkland Islands commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands, a seventh generation Islander explains the significance of Liberation Day to the people of the Falklands.
It is difficult to put into words the significance the 14th June has for the people of the Falkland Islands. It is our most important and significant day of the year. The sacrifice made by the British Armed Forces is never far from our minds on any given day but the 14th June allows us to remember, commemorate and reflect as a whole community.
Anniversaries such as the 30th are of course particularly poignant, partly because a larger than normal contingent of Veterans visit the Islands. They are of course always welcomed with open arms and are held in the highest of regard by all Islanders.
Each and every year there is an excellent turn out of people at the Liberation Day Parade at the Liberation Monument in Stanley, the Falklands capital.
On this particular occasion all expectations were surpassed as literally hundreds of people braved the harsh conditions, a mix of sleet and snow, to pay their respects. Let us not forget that the whole population of the Islands is close to 3.000 and Stanley’s, 1.800.
The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force were represented and took part in the parade as did the Falkland Islands Defence Force. Local youth groups including the Girl Guides, Brownies, Rainbows and Scouts were in attendance at the service.
After a pleasant week of weather it suddenly turned to driving sleet on Thursday morning just in time for the Parade, shortly afterwards the sun was out and the sleet had disappeared like it had never even happened. Not the best conditions but as many people who stood there in the cold stated, it further makes you appreciate some of the awful conditions the troops faced when protecting our beautiful and unique home.
Five young Islanders and two Members of the Legislative Assembly attended the C24 meeting in New York City this Thursday to put across the opinion and voice of Falkland Islanders and to explain our right to self-determination. To say that I am incredibly proud of the work they are carrying out would be an understatement.
Thankfully I was born 4 years after the 1982 war and as such missed the horrors of the war. Even so the conflict and its effects have shaped me as a person and I am incredibly passionate about the Falkland Islands and the fact that I am a 7th generation Islander.
The small two bedroom stone cottage I live in housed my mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, great aunt and two close family friends for the duration of the conflict. The stone cottage with its thick walls provided some protection from the horrors outside. I have often looked through my father’s photographs and listened to the recordings of the shooting, shelling and yelling taken during the 74 days of invasion. All of which are truly shocking. I am incredibly proud of what Falkland Islanders have achieved particularly since 1982, the Falklands is an incredible place and truly unique.
The sun has now set on this the 30th Anniversary of Liberation Day. The official function taking place at the Falkland Islands Defence Force Headquarters and open to the general public will continue until midnight tonight (FI time).
All residents who were in Stanley on the 14th June 1982, will attend their special 30th Anniversary event, their Reception for Reflection, on the evening of 15th June.
Roxanne King, a proud Islander
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32 comments Feed
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Never have I been so much in support of the Falklanders after tonight.
the way that the whole of SA ganged up to lob the boot in on a tiny population of 3k will not be forgotten by those who witnessed it.
absolutely shameful.
Wrong, their (german) Feudal Queen, ownes them.
At least you refer to them as Falklanders. also youre right, they have an allegiance to the queen - through their own free choice.
:-)
They had and still have no other choice, you moron. Allegiance to the queen is Allegiance to a psycho who owns the peasants on a piece of land.
“your german president speaks constant shit”
Slattzzz, imbecile, CFK is German? Whatever you smoke, it's trully crap.
I don't give a F about CFK. The argies can vote her out if they want. And fyi, where I'm from, Holland is a kingdom, yess, also “German ties” and I personally don't give a damn sinds it's an old, outdated feudel system. I wish Holland becomes a Republic!
Mickey Summers also forgot to mention them if wouldn’t be for the remind of the UK puppet ambassador
I would have some questions for them especially for the 2 girls behind Mickey moustache Summers. Ha ha
webtv.un.org/media/media-stakeouts/watch/hon.-roger-edwards-of-the-falkland-islands-legislative-assembly-sir-mark-lyall-grant-permanent-representative-of-the-united-kingdom-to-the-united-nations-media-stakeout/1690041950001
A proud MAlvinense!
AHAHAHAH,Malvinenses lost agaian at the C-24.
Argentina 20------ MAlvinas 0
I very much support self-determination by the Falklanders. However, your statement that “all South America ganged up on them” in 1982 is historically inaccurate. I suggest you read up on the subject before making such statements. You probably think you're awfully clever, but you are in fact just an embarrassment for the Falklands' cause. Shame on you.
Never have I been so much in support of the Falklanders after tonight.
Just go to hell cestrian!
MALVINAS ARGENTINAS!
DOwn with the squatters,pirates robbers!
Haven't you worked it out? He is on the same payroll as CFK.
The British FCO are paying Argentine to drum the “Malvinas Issue”, but to make the Argentine case look as utterly stupid as possible.
CFK got an extra $30USD (a small fortune in Argentina) for coming up with the “Birds migrating argument” last night. The $50 bonus for “I planted a turnip in 1832” was a joy to behold.
malviner01 gets $0.05 (an average argentine weekly salary) for each post he makes here. If he throws in “UK is finished, pirate pigs” it goes up to $0.06.
All a conspiracy by the British to ensure the Argie case looks pathetic and is ridiculed by all but the Cubans, Venezuala and Syria (I mean, getting them together to support Argentina must have cost William Hague a few $$$).
Of course Brazil and Chile are “in on the joke”.
At least Venezula is a democracy.
Cuba tyranny
Syria murderous tyranny.
It is a good offer do not let this opportunity to go away.
It can be worse believe me.
www.facebook.com/Britain1592
ACCEPT THE FACTS. THE UK PM HAS THE CHOICE TO BREAK IMMEDIATELY THE UK DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN MY COUNTRY ARGENTINA, WHAT HE IS WAITING FOR?....
LAS SUECAS ISOLDE SKARE AND YNSERE DON'T DARE TO RESPOND...
As you know I live in Uruguay, and proud to say so.
Please explain to me WHAT Uruguay did to help the British Taskforce in 1982?
Standing to one side while a gang of thugs rapes a young woman has never been considered anything else but HELPING THEM. Guilty by association.
The reason I came to Uruguay was because things had changed since then.
You forgot the toilet paper,
This will come in handy on the good ship lollypop.
I read Article 1(2) of The United Nations Charter agian, just to be sure and sorry, no matter how hard I looked, I could not find the sub paragraph giving listing exceptions to the right. Would you be so kind to tell me where in the Charter I can find them. Thank you ever so much, your so kind. In anticipation, Byeee!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFs7TXIQRag
It explains why the islanders wish to remain as they are...
The British claim on the Islands dates from 1765, not from 1833.
Self-determination applies to all peoples-that's what it says in the UN charter. Nowhere in the United Nations Charter, does it say that' self-determination applies to all peoples except the Falkland Islanders.'
If you can quote something that opposes this please do.
But you cannot.
You are still exploiting native americans to this day , paying slave wages to Bolivian , Peruvian and Paraguayan migrants in Buenos Aires whilst at the same time constantly being racist about them .
Hypocritical racists , the lot of you . No wonder the rest of Latin America cannot stand you .
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