MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands War Veterans commemorate war dead.
In Port Stanley, on Remembrance Sunday, the Duke of York has joined more than 200 veterans of the Falklands War, in paying homage to those who died in Two World Wars and the Falklands Conflict.
During a 45' minute service at Christ Church Cathedral, Prince Andrew read a lesson taken from the 'Gospel according to St. Luke' which described the 10 lepers who were healed but only 1 showed gratitude and thanks. He then moved to the Cross of Sacrifice where hundreds of Islanders, members of the British Forces and the visiting Falklands War veterans had gathered in cold and windy weather. Prince Andrew, who served on board HMS Invincible, during the hostilities of 20 years ago, flying helicopters, laid a wreath which bore the inscription:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE In Memory of those who died in the South Atlantic
and those members of the Staffordshire Regiment and
Royal Irish Regiments who have died in the service of their
Country. Andrew.
The Governor of the Falklands, Mr. Donald Lamont laid a wreath on Sunday bearing the inscription, "From His Excellency the Governor on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen". IN REMEMBRANCE.
Addressing the massed congregation in the Cathedral, the Reverend Alistair McHaffie, an ex-British Serviceman, said that 'war is a failure of politicians and diplomacy'. He told the veterans that through their actions and those of their comrades who were no longer with them, the Falklands, 'is a much more confident and stronger Country, having made remarkable progress during the 20 years since the War'. He reminded everyone that Remembrance Sunday in the Falklands was also an occasion to remember Islanders who had died during active service in the First & Second World Wars.
Many of the 1982 veterans who are on a 6 days pilgrimage to the Falklands under the auspices of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (SAMA '82) spoke of their contentment and feelings at re-visiting the Islands. Walter Campbell of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, who was wounded on Tumbledown Mountain, spent a whole day retracing his steps of 20 years ago. 'I am not an emotional person but I just had to go back and see it all again, in daylight and in different conditions'. I think many of those who have returned this time will come back, but I will not. Having once re-visited the place where I fought is enough for me'. He also paid tribute to the local population for their 'excellent hospitality, kindness and helpfulness towards the SAMA '82 veterans'.
The Reverend David Devenney was a young corporal with 42 Commando Royal Marines during the Falklands War, and he saw action on Mt. Harriet. 'When we drove past the mountain on the first day back I found myself completely overwhelmed - I hadn't expected to feel like that, but I could not stop the tears. Now I feel that a great weight has been freed from me - the transformation is remarkable, not only for me but for many of the soldiers that I have spoke with who have also visited their battlegrounds of 20 years ago'.
Gordon Monks served as a communications officer on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel 'Fort Austin'. He still has vivid memories of HMS Antelope on fire, after an Argentine bomb which had penetrated the ship, exploded while efforts were being made to defuse the bomb. 'The last 20 years have gone by so quickly - the experience which I had then seems larger than life today - I am involved with the Royal British Legion and any type of ceremony makes for an emotional occasion for me and today was no exception'. He too paid tribute to the Islanders who are hosting the veterans and driving them to 'any location which we ask to go to - they are magnificent'.
Conservative M.P. for Aldershot Gerald Howarth, who is the shadow Defence Minister, is accompanying the SAMA '82 veterans during their pilgrimage, said 'It has been a huge privilege to accompany the veterans'. It has been an opportunity for many of them to lay their ghosts'. He spoke of one ex-Royal Marine who made 3 attempts to board the waiting aircraft at Gatwick Airport because of his fear in returning to the Islands, before finally finding enough courage to take his seat. He said he would be bringing to the attention of the Labour Government the plight of many of the war veterans. 'These are proud people and many do not want to admit that they have suffered physiologically and we need to look after them. Some have not been bothered by post traumatic stress disorder, but we must look after those who have. We must be more aware of the potential for damage and do something about it. The National Lottery which has raised twelve thousand million pounds has given only 1.6 millions to service charities, but to asylum seekers and their associated charities 68 million pounds, and that surely has to be wrong'.
Chris Jackson who was with 'C' company 2nd Parachute Battalion, who saw action during the liberation of Goose Green, found solace in meeting a family which he helped to free from one month of captivity in the community hall. 'That was the defining moment for me - we didn't know what to say to each other, so we just hugged and kissed each other and cried together - afterwards I felt so much better'. On Sunday he spoke strongly about reconciliation and desperately wants to meet Argentine next-of-kin and in particular the family of Lieutenant Estevez who amazingly was the only Argentine officer killed in action at Goose Green - he was the highest ranking officer in the field - 'It would be very rewarding for me to meet his family members - I know I passed him on the way in - I continued but he didn't - I can't say anymore than that - I would just like to speak with them for a few moments, that too would give me great comfort, like meeting the Falklands family at Goose Green'.
Patrick Watts, (MP) Stanley
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