MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Many Falklands Anniversary Climax
Anniversary events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Falklands War reach their climax this weekend in the Falklands and in the United Kingdom with the emphasis on tribute to the British armed forces and remembrance of those who died.
In Britain there will be three memorial services.
Relatives of those killed will attend the Falklands Families Association Service in the crypt of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, at the Falklands memorial (on Saturday, June 15th). A two- day reunion of task force comrades will be held on Saturday and Sunday (June 15th and 16th) at Gosport, the Portsmouth Royal Navy base from where some of the task force vessels sailed and returned in 1982.
Former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher is attending a service on Sunday in the Gosport Falklands Memorial Garden near the bust of the commander in chief of the whole operation, the late Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fieldhouse. As a slight stroke earlier this year has prevented her from speaking in public, an address on her behalf is being given by former Falkland Islands Governor, Sir Rex Hunt.
A major event of the weekend is the Memorial Day Service at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College, Berkshire, on Sunday (16th). Among veterans at this service will be the Duke of York, who flew helicopters from HMS Invincible in 1982. He will meet some of the bereaved families, veterans and others at this special service, scheduled for the nearest Sunday to the surrender date ? June 14th.
Fitting Act of Remembrance The students of the college will parade to salute the anniversary, wearing their traditional naval uniforms, and provide a guard of honour for Prince Andrew's arrival. The ceremony brings together a new generation with the comrades and families of a former generation, to reflect on the war, honour the fallen, and look to the future.
The ecumenical ceremony takes placed in the unique Falklands Memorial Chapel, built by public subscription and opened by the Queen in 2000 as a lasting memorial to the 256 British men and women who gave their lives to liberate the Islands. The names of those lost in the 100 days war are movingly commemorated on stone plaques within the Chapel foyer and upon prayer kneeling cushions used daily by the community of Pangbourne College, custodians of the national memorial.
The chairman of the Memorial Chapel Trust is Captain Michael Barrow, DSO, RN, who commanded HMS Glamorgan in the South Atlantic in 1982. He says: "The Chapel Trustees want to provide all those involved in 1982 with a fitting act of remembrance that will round off this important weekend. The response has been marvellous. We are delighted that our Patron, the Duke of York, who served with us ?down South', will be with us in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Year".
The Duke will be bringing a special stone to add to many others forming a memorial cairn. "The Stone from Home" project, as it is called, was launched earlier this year when the first stone was sent from the Falkland Islands, on behalf of the Queen.
The following day, Monday June 17th), task force veterans, family members and members of the Falkland Islands Association, which campaigns for the Islanders' right to self-determination, will gather together for the annual Falklands Government reception in central London at Lincoln's Inn Fields, from where a loyal message will be sent to the Queen. The band of the Parachute Regiment ? whose soldiers played a major part in the 1982 campaign, will beat the retreat.
Harold Briley, Londres
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!