MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Protesting Malvinas veterans occupy emblematic former “Tower of the English”
The veterans are demanding similar consideration to those who effectively saw combat or were deployed in the Falklands 
Argentine former soldiers deployed to Patagonia during the Malvinas War decided to occupy the Torre Monumental (formerly know as the “Torre de los Ingleses”, or Tower of the English) in Retiro, as they continue with their claim for official recognition of their “war veteran status.”
These former soldiers, who despite being active during the Malvinas War never actually engaged in combat or set foot in the Falklands, have been camping on Plaza de Mayo for more than four years now and from time to time they set up roadblocks on one of Buenos Aires main avenues, 9 de Julio, in protest of the Argentine government’s refusal to grant them with veteran benefits.
During the war, they were in charge of tasks related to defence and logistics in several Argentine air force bases.
They continue to demand official recognition as war veterans from the government, which would qualify them for veteran benefits according to Law 23.848.
During the protest, which did not interrupt traffic, they once more urged the government to listen to their claims.
The emblematic tower, located at the heart of Retiro, a huge open space in downtown Buenos Aires was renamed to “Monumental” after the 1982 conflict with the United Kingdom. The tower stands out in the former Plaza Britainica, now Plaza Fuerza Aerea (Air Force Plaza) in honour to the Argentine pilots during the Falklands conflict.
Retiro is also one of Buenos Aires main railway stations.
It was a gift from the local British community to the city in commemoration of the centennial of the May Revolution of 1810.
The tower is built in Palladian style; the building is decorated with symbols of the British Empire and features the thistle of Scotland, the English rose, the Welsh dragon and the Irish shamrock.
The tower reaches a height of 75.5 metres and has eight floors. There are clocks at the 35 m level, and the bells were designed in imitation of the ones at Westminster Abbey.
The tower is topped by an octagonal copper roofed cupola. Above the entrance there are the shields of Argentina and Great Britain and the inscription “al gran pueblo argentino, los residentes británicos, salud, 25 de mayo 1810-1910” ('To the health of the Great Argentine people, from the British residents, May 25, 1810-1910'
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Read all commentsThe English did give the Argentines quite a bit.... Retiro Station, Torre de los Ingleses (for them to stage protests at), a damn good thrashing in 82.
Mar 22nd, 2012 - 02:18 am 0.....and what thanks do the English get, nada.. thats what....
ungrateful RG ratbags.....
I also served during the Falklands War... in the Sea Cadets... can i have a medal for ze war please, i want to show all ze girlz my nice medalz for ze war.
Mar 22nd, 2012 - 02:36 am 0Argentine ex conscript Patagonia Veteran -
“My momma always said, ”Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.“ I want a medal for the war I never fought in and I'm gonn'a cry until I get one”
Drill Sergeant: Campesino Conscript! What's your sole purpose in this army?
Argentine Campesino Patagonian Conscript: “To do whatever you tell me, drill sergeant!”
Drill Sergeant: “We're sending you to clean out some latrines in Patagonia... it's gonna be tough, do ya think you can handle it?”
Argentine Campesino Patagonian Conscript: “Will I get a medal”
Drill Sergeant: “No but ya might get my boot up yer ass if you don't start shoveling shit real quick!”
Argentine Campesino Patagonian Conscript: “Now for some reason I fit in the army like one of them round pegs. It's not really hard. You just make your bed real neat and remember to stand up straight and always answer every question with ”Yes, drill sergeant.“ I never had to go to no war but while one was on I shoveled a lot of shit in a Patagonian transit camp. ... i always loved it when Drill Sergeant stuck his boot up my ass... i feel like a real Malvinas soldier”.
Drill Sergeant: “Remember 1982 boys?”
Argentine Campesino Patagonian Conscripts: “Yes Sergeant”
Drill Sergeant: “I want you all to jump, one by one out of the English TOwer”
Argentine Campesino Patagonian Conscript: “Mama always said, dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't. Why do some get medals and others not?”
Argentine Republic SUDACA Army, protest, protest, protest and jump up and down, yell, beat drums, block streets, and you will get a total of 0, nothing, nada, niente from your SUDACA government!
Mar 22nd, 2012 - 02:45 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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