Praise for Falklands for Veterans' Pilgrimage

Monday, February 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Full article

In the biggest ever issue of the Falkland Islands Association Newsletter, just published, Falkland Islanders are highly praised and thanked by veterans of the 1982 Falklands War for the tremendous effort they put into welcoming the 20th anniversary pilgrimage of the South Atlantic Medal Association ? SAMA (1982).

Reports of the pilgrimage are full of praise and gratitude for the Islanders for their hospitality and generosity, and for the many people, Islanders and other supporters, who raised money to allow the pilgrimage by more than 200 veterans to go ahead.

The main article in this 32-page edition, lavishly illustrated with pictures of the veterans and Islanders at the memorials and battle sites, is by SAMA's founding secretary, Denzil Connick, the former paratrooper badly injured on Mount Longdon as the war came to an end. One picture shows him being baptised on this anniversary journey near the sport where he was blown up by an Argentine shell, losing one leg and injuring the other.

Denzil tells how by remarkable coincidence, the poppy cross he chose to place at the Memorial Wood in Stanley happened to be for his close friend, Neil Grose, killed on Mount Longdon. His mother had asked previously sent Denzil a special family message to be attached to a cross.

In an editorial entitled "Remembrance- And the Future", the Newsletter says: Islanders have been honoured to welcome into their homes and hearts more than two-hundred veterans?.Islanders are, and always will be grateful for the sacrifices of their liberators. For many veterans it was a healing process. They saw the places where their comrades died. They saw the Falklands in peace, developing and infinitely more confident than it was in 1982. They saw their sacrifices had not been in vain".

Appeal to Argentina to drop claim

But the editorial regrets that Argentina continues to press its sovereignty claim to the Islands. "After the Second World War", the Newsletter says, "the defeated belligerents abandoned their ambitions and began to live in peace with the countries they had forced into war. There is no reason why Argentina should not do the same".

The front page carries a superb colour photograph of a smiling Prince Andrew in naval uniform proudly displaying his South Atlantic and other medals. Inside is a picture of the Queen being presented with gold South Atlantic medallions by leaders of SAMA, led by former naval surgeon, Rick Jolly. As well as current pictures, there is a page of black and white photographs of 1982, entitled "Memories of War". By coincidence, this issue carries an obituary of the Argentine President who launched the 1982 invasion, General Leopoldo Galtieri.

There is also a message from the Prime minister, Tony Blair, re-affirming the United Kingdom's commitment to Falkland Islanders' self-determination and sovereignty. He welcomes improving relations with Argentina, along with practical co-operation and mutual understanding which he hopes can be developed in the interests of and according to the wishes of the people.

This special souvenir issue carries profiles and interviews with the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, and the new Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins, as well as background on the new Foreign Minister for Latin America and the Falklands, Mr Bill Rammell.

There is examination in depth of the Gibraltar dispute and Anglo-Spanish negotiations and what lessons these may have for the future of the Falklands.

Harold Briley, (MP) London

Categories: Falkland Islands.

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