MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands children welcome 1982 veterans

Falklands children born long after the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands will play a major part in welcoming Task Force veterans on their first mass pilgrimage since 1982, from November 7th to 12th . It will be the last and most memorable of the 20th anniversary events which have involved so many veterans and their supporters in the United Kingdom and the Falklands.

About 205 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA) from all three services and the Merchant Navy will be going, as well as family members of men who were killed, and newspaper and television journalists, travelling on an Air 2000 Charter, refuelling in Africa and Brazil. It has been decided that this pilgrimage will be only the first of a series of annual visits in the future. The fund-raising which has been so successful for this visit will be continued for this ongoing programme for smaller groups, which is only part of the support SAMA gives in many ways. SAMA Secretary, Denzil Connick, confirms that nearly all arrangements for this November visit are now in place, thanks to what he calls the "fantastic" support and enthusiasm of Islanders. "We are in top gear", he says. "Everyone is excited ? the Islanders just as much to receive us as we about going. The logistics may be nowhere near as complex and awesome as in 1982 but they are formidable enough. "If it was the United Kingdom", says Denzil,"we would just book one huge hotel and a few huge coaches, but not in the Falklands with restricted accommodation, transport and communication links".

Praise for "fantastic" Falkland Islanders

The doggedness and stamina demonstrated by the Task Force in 1982 is matched now by the determination, ingenuity and generosity of the Islanders, which have overcome all obstacles. Every wish of SAMA has been met and fulfilled by the Falklands people and the SAMA Committee led by Terry Peck, the former police chief, who met up with and fought with the Task Force. Denzil Connick is full of praise for everyone from the Governor down for his generosity and interest, the Falklands Government London Office, the Falklands Councillors, the 2002 Committee and so many individual Islanders who have unstintingly and enthusiastically embraced the pilgrimage. He says: "The Islanders have been fantastic on all counts. They have raised an astonishing sum of more than £30,000 for such a small community of only two and a half thousand, and helped in all kinds of other ways ? opening their homes to host us, providing transport, driving their own vehicles, and giving their time, some of them taking time off work to look after the veterans full-time. The Islanders are reaching out and grasping this real opportunity to show their gratitude for those sacrifices in 1982". Some of the former soldiers have asked to go back to the same addresses where they were welcomed as liberators 20 years ago. There is so much nostalgia and rapport. The Falkland Island Government Air Service (FIGAS) are laying on flights to battlefield and memorials.

Children to plant poppy crosses

"Everyone" says Denzil,"has been really, really wonderful, the official committees and countless other supporters, especially the townsfolk and Camp dwellers. They all deserve a great pat on the back. It is so heart-warming. We are delighted we can strengthen our friendships forged with the Falkland Islanders. We are especially involving the children". They will play a leading part in welcoming veterans to the 1982 Stanley Memorial Wood, where each tree is dedicated to the memory of a serviceman who died, whose name is commemorated forever on a plaque. A child will stand at each tree, each with a wooden poppy cross, which they will plant in front of each tree, with the veterans looking on, recalling their lost comrades". Denzil Connick says: "This is a living memorial with the trees, and all these children will never forget this day. It will keep alive in their young minds the sacrifices which were made for them as well as others, even though they were not then born". The idea comes from participation of Dutch children in the annual memorial f the 1939-45 War Arnhem landings. Tim and Jan Miller are the curators of the Stanley Memorial Wood which is on their land and they involve the permanent participation of the scouts and cubs.

Duke of York joins veterans

The Duke of York, a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot in the conflict, will be the most prominent veteran on the pilgrimage, as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot in 1982. He is travelling separately to join his SAMA colleagues in the Falklands in an itinerary including Uruguay and Chile, in his other role as a travelling ambassador for the Foreign Office promoting UK overseas trade. Argentina, originally part of his trip, has now been omitted. The SAMA officials are led by their chairman, Royal Navy Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly, whose medical teams saved every wounded combatant, both British and Argentine, brought to their emergency field hospital at Ajax Bay. Captain Jolly values such trips highly as therapy for veterans, having done research since 1982 into the serious effects of post conflict traumatic stress. The pilgrimage includes men who still suffer from serious wounds, including several amputees who lost legs or arms, a man shot in the throat, losing his vocal chords, and John Phillips, a soldier unusually awarded a Royal Navy gallantry medal, the Distinguished Service Cross, who lost an arm de-fusing a bomb on HMS Antelope. The highest ranking veteran will be Major General Malcolm Hunt, who in 1982 commanded 40 Royal Marine Commando, and was later Commander British Forces in the Falkland Islands. Also in the party are Lieutenant Colonel Chris Keeble, who replaced Lieutenant Colonel "H" Jones, VC, killed in the capture of Goose Green; Captain Martin Reid, first officer of the Canberra, who will be a one-man advance party; and the SAMA standard bearer, Kenny Dawkins, of the Welsh Guards. Among widows and other relatives will be Sarah Constance, sister of Royal Marine helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Richard Nunn, DFC, killed at Goose Green; Every element of the Task Force will be represented -- commandos, paratroopers, Welsh and Scots Guardsmen, sailors and flyers, special forces, Merchant Navy men, doctors and surgeons. The Reverend David Devenny, a former Commando corporal, and Father Alf Hayes, a Roman Catholic Padre will assist the Falklands minister, the Reverend Alistair McHaffie in the memorial. For many it will be their first visit and first reunion in 20 years with former comrades as well as with Falkland Islanders. There will be much reminiscing, nostalgia, and merry-making, but most important of all, they will be remembering with respect, pride and humility the men who died for Falklands Freedom.

Baroness Thatcher heads VIP send-off

The pilgrimage gets off to a rousing start at Gatwick with a high-ranking send-off led by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, to whom it will be an emotional and nostalgic occasion, recalling that last time she despatched fighting men en masse to the Falklands it was to liberate them, realising full well that an unknown number may not return. It is those men who died for Falklands freedom who will rightly be the focus of everyone's thoughts in this whole week of commemoration and gratitude. Joining her to wish the pilgrimage well are former Governor, Sir Rex Hunt; Major General Malcolm Hunt, the most senior veteran who is flying out next day to join in; Lieutenant Colonel Simon Brewis, the Army Benevolent Fund grants secretary; the entertainer Jim Davidson; Commodore Toby Elliott, Chief Executive of Combat Stress, the charity that treat and supports ex-service personnel; and Miss Sukey Cameron, the Falklands Government London representative. The flight leaves Gatwick on November 6th, refuelling at Banjul in Africa and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, arriving in the early hours of November 7th, about 6 or 7 a.m, at Mount Pleasant where they are assured of an enthusiastic welcome

Thursday, November 7th: The Falklands programme begins with a group photograph with the aircraft and crew, including a pilot who fought in 1982. Coaches take them to Stanley to the jetty and Falkland Islands Defence Force headquarters to meet their hosts.

Memorial services and battlefield visits

The Bluff Cove memorial and Fitzroy, site of the devastating Argentine air attack on the troop landing craft Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, will be the first stop on the way to Stanley from Mount Pleasant, especially poignant for former Welsh Guardsmen who lost so many comrades there. That afternoon the Governor, Donald Lamont, gives an official welcome at FIDF headquarters.

Friday, November 8th is a full day, with the veterans split in two groups, visiting Fitzroy, Goose Green and Blue Beach, San Carlos, with a memorial service at the cemetery and wreath laying. Lunch will be provided by San Carlos residents and friends.

Saturday, 9th: Led by the Duke of York, a Service of Remembrance at the Liberation Monument at 0900, with HMS Leeds Castle, herself a veteran of 1982, anchored offshore. 1030: Various trips to battlefield sites including Fitzroy, Mount Harriet, Two Sisters, Mount Kent, Estancia, Mount Longden, Wireless Ridge, Tumbledown, Green Beach, Teal Inlet, Douglas Station and Goose Green. 1830: Public reception a t FIDF headquarters hosted by the Falklands Government.

Sunday,10th : Remembrance Sunday. Service at Stanley Christ Church Cathedral and parade, with HMS Leeds Castle again offshore. 1120: Visit to 1982 Stanley Memorial Wood, where each tree is dedicated to the memory of a serviceman who died, their names forever commemorated on a plaque. Sunday afternoon: FIGAS flights to visit HMS Sheffield and HMS Coventry Memorials at Sea Lion and Pebble Islands.

Monday, 11th: A special day, the official Armistice Day anniversary for the whole Commonwealth with a two minutes silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Transport and FIGAS flights to visit various sites, including Ajax Bay and Choiseul Sound. Evening: Reception at Government House, the first of two organised by the Governor, splitting the visitors in half to make sure all can attend.

Tuesday, 12th: Either free day or more visits to battle sites and Volunteer Point to see wildlife. Tuesday evening: Second Government house Reception.

Wednesday, 12th: Reception at FIDF HQ, hosted by the veterans to say thank you before departure from Mount Pleasant airport for United Kingdom, arriving in the Kingdom on November 13th. There will be no stops at Ascension Island.

TV links with UK

A television satellite will link the SAMA service at the Stanley Liberation Monument and the traditional annual Remembrance Service for all war dead at the Whitehall Cenotaph in London, where a SAMA contingent is taking part in the march past. The SAMA Stanley service will be flashed across the air waves to a big screen at Whitehall and into a BBC programme. Two BBC television teams are expected to accompany the pilgrimage, including BBC Wales to focus on the former Welsh Guards. There will also be journalists from national and other newspapers. There will also be a separate BBC traditional "Songs of Praise" programme, featuring a Stanley Cathedral service, and also coverage of the Falklands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne in England, filming there on November 5th. The trip is costing about £900 for each veteran. The charter bill will cost about £235,000, with Air 2000, which is praised by SAMA for being very helpful and supportive. Denzil Connick, a paratrooper wounded in the battle for Mount Longden, laughingly recalls sitting in the cold on Mount Longden in 1982 preparing to retake Stanley. As he looked down on the smoke from the chimneys, he wondered what the houses were like inside. Now, on his preparatory planning trip, he has stayed in the grandest of all, Government House, as the guest of Governor Donald Lamont. For Denzil returning to Mount Longden, where an artillery shell blew off one leg and severely injured the other, will be a particularly poignant moment.

Harold Briley, (MP) London

Categories: Falkland Islands.

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