MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Chapel to build stone memorial.

The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne in Berkshire, which is holding its 20th anniversary remembrance service on Sunday, 16th June, Falklands Memorial Day, says it hopes a member of the Royal family will attend.

It has invited families and friends to bring "A Stone from Home", from various parts of the United Kingdom, in a special act of commemoration to build a symbolic cairn memorial. This idea has been inspired by an ancient Scottish custom of clansmen putting stones in a pile prior to battle and picking them up afterwards.

A new initiative for raising funds for upkeep of the Memorial Chapel involves teams from the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines, who led the liberation campaign in 1982, to undertake "yomps" or "tabs" -- military terms for the hike across the Falklands over bleak, rugged terrain from the San Carlos landings to the recapture of Stanley.

Several of them are this year re-enacting the gruelling 60-mile (96-kilometre) journey and seeking sponsorship to raise money for the Memorial Chapel. The paratroops will carry out their yomp between April and November while deployed on the Falklands. as the resident infantry company.

The Royal Marines team of four men from the United Kingdom, one of whom was wounded, will re-re-enact the march in winter conditions in July. They are two Lieutenant Colonels --John Davies and George Mathews, both veterans of the Conflict, and warrant Officer Shaun Forsdyke and Constable Jake Stevenson, both previously machine gunners in 45 Commando.

The Memorial Chapel Trustees are considering organising another yomp early next year for supporters from Britain.

Among other fund-raising projects are an auction of 1982 Falklands memorabilia, and the sale of a book about the Memorial Chapel entitled "Just to See His Name" and of video featuring highlights of services at the Chapel, including its opening by the Queen in 200.

The Chapel is open to visitors every day between 0900 and 1700. It now publishes its own Newsletter with information of services and other events.

The South Atlantic Medal Association has also announced that after their major pilgrimage of about 200 veterans to the Falklands in November this year, they intend to continue the pilgrimage theme for smaller groups of about ten people indefinitely.

The Falkland Families Association, relatives of task force members killed in the Falklands conflict, are marking the 20th anniversary with their own