MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
1982 veterans' big thank you to Falkland Islanders
More than 200 British war veterans have returned from their 20th anniversary visit to the Falklands full of praise for the welcome they received from the Islanders. It exceeded all their expectations.
The visit was organised by the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA), whose secretary, Denzil Connick, speaking from his office in Wales, declared: "We shall never ever forget this very special week . It will stay in our hearts and minds as a very fond memory all our lives. It has helped many of us to overcome some of the distressing and awful memories from 1982. "The Islanders did us proud. They used this opportunity to show their gratitude. It was so impressive. We veterans are so grateful for the way the Islanders welcomed us. They wanted to show they have not forgotten what happened in 1982 and are eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by members of Task Force. This was a constant refrain throughout. We were made so comfortable and so well fed, and as many as 80 vehicles were donated for transporting pilgrims to various locations. Anything we wanted done, they did it.
More annual visits planned "We joined in with the Islanders as much as possible. After the formal ceremonies, we drank together and swapped stories. The veterans were impressed at hearing how Islanders did not lie down and accept the Argentine occupation but carried out many acts of passive resistance. "The SAMA constitution says we want to strengthen our bonds with Islanders and this pilgrimage did in a very real sense strengthen our bonds, renewed old friend ships and created new ones. There will be much more communication from now on between veterans and Islanders, especially through e-mail. And veterans will be part of the growing in the tourist trade". "It was a mutually beneficial experience for Islanders and veterans to have such a visit which will never take place again on this scale. But we hope to have a big presence for the 25th anniversary. In the meantime we plan to have yearly visits for the November remembrance anniversary ". During the visit, SAMA expressed its gratitude in a symbolic gesture by presenting the Islanders with a silver SAMA medal, acknowledging their fortitude, courage and resistance to invasion.
Argentine wreath ? Royal act of humanity Veterans generally welcomed the action of the Duke of York, a 1982 Royal Navy helicopter pilot, in laying a wreath at the Argentine cemetery at Darwin. They regarded this as simple act of humanity and reconciliation by a former serviceman to a former enemy, with no political connotations or issues of sovereignty. Denzil Connick points out that among service combatants, there is a deeply personal feeling of respect for men who lost their lives on both sides. "While we were doing our duty at the time -- and there should be no regrets for that -- the act of killing goes against the conscience of any decent human being. And we constantly ask forgiveness".
Baptised on former battlefield For Denzil Connick, a corporal in the 3rd Parachute Regiment, it was a deeply emotional experience to go back to Mount Longdon where his leg was blown off by an Argentine shell just before the ceasefire. Though a worshipper in his Welsh chapel as a child, Denzil was never baptised, but now he has been and described how it happened in the Falklands Islands. "Mount Longdon", he says, " is a spiritual place ? and I got baptised there". The ceremony was carried out by the Reverend David Devenny, a Scottish Minister who was a Royal Marines corporal in 1982 and made friends with Denzil on the troopship liner Canberra on the way south. By coincidence on the 20th anniversary flight, they were sitting near each other, when the idea of the baptism came to Denzil. He says that what happened to him in 1982 and his SAMA work helping his fellow veterans, has strengthened his faith in God. His christening took place at the beautiful stainless steel cross on the summit of Mount Longdon, surrounded by his former paratroop comrades. In the ceremony the minister wetted his head with water from a vacuum flask. Denzil recalls: "As in 1982, we improvised to get the job done. And I am now recorded in Stanley Cathedral as being baptised". The Reverend David Devenny is now re-enlisting as Royal Marines padre.
Visit helps mitigate battle stress Another returning veteran, Dave Morgan, who has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his battle experience in 1982, told Mercopress that going back on the veterans' flight has helped him enormously. Praising the Islanders, he said: "They could not do enough. They went out of their way to help us. If we wanted something, it was done. If we wanted to go anywhere they said, ?Come on we'll take you'". Dave Morgan, now 47, served in the Royal Navy for 24 years, and came under constant Argentine bombardment as a helicopter controller aboard HMS Avenger, which narrowly escaped being hit by exocet missiles and bombs on several occasions. He has suffered from headaches, lack of sleep, nightmares and panic flashbacks to the fighting. "Going back to Falklands", he says, "has helped me to face my fears. Friends have told me I am a changed man, now more relaxed. He was treated at the Haslam Royal Navy Hospital by a psychiatrist, a former Royal Marines Captain Morgan O'Connell, now working with Combat Stress. He is campaigning to include visits such as this as therapy in conjunction with regular treatment.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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