MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK Veterans minister heads Remembrance Day in Falklands

Minister for Veterans Derek Twigg MP lays a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice in Stanley<br>[Photo: HQ BF SAI]

Britain's Veterans Minister Derek Twigg MP joined 250 veterans of the South Atlantic conflict of 25 years ago in the Remembrance Day service held in Stanley Cathedral in the Falkland Islands on Sunday 11 November.

The Service was attended by personnel of all three Services and the Falkland Islands Defence Force, and followed by a parade to The Cross of Sacrifice at Stanley Cemetery, where wreaths were laid in memory of those from the Islands who gave their lives in the World Wars. On Sunday 11 November, Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force personnel in the UK and overseas joined the British nation in paying tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and remembering those they have left behind. The veterans are in the Islands as part of a pilgrimage commemorating the Conflict of 1982 and those who gave their lives retaking the Islands following Argentine invasion. In the week leading up to this Service, the veterans participated in a number of services and commemorative events remembering the events of 25 years ago, including the landings at San Carlos, the sinking of Sir Galahad at Fitzroy, and the fierce battles to take Mount Longdon and Mount Tumbledown. The Veterans have all been staying with families in the Falkland Islands, who remain as grateful today as they were on liberation 25 years ago. "There is a real community spirit between the people of the Falklands and the soldiers who fought for them 25 years ago", said Veterans minister Twigg when asked about the bond between veterans and the Islanders. On Monday morning Falklands' patrol HMS Clyde and FPV Pharos sailed out to sea to hold a service to the memory of those who gave their lives in the high seas. The Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands, a small unit comprised of Royal Signals soldiers, RAF communication technicians and a handful of Royal Navy personnel, braved the elements to hold their own remembrance parade for two Royal Signals and two Army Air corps personnel killed in a helicopter crash during the 1982 conflict. At all points on the compass, Royal Navy personnel on ships at sea, alongside and in shore establishments commemorated the sacrifices of members of the Naval Service and others in times of war. The 250 veterans that spent a week in the Falklands paying tribute to their fallen colleagues as part of the Falklands' 25 Pilgrimage begun leaving the Islands on Tuesday.