MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands commemorates 34th anniversary of Liberation Day

A ceremony is held at the Liberation Monument each year on the 14th June to mark the end of the Falklands War and to honour those who fought during the conflict, and was lead by Parade Commander Major

Commemorations are being held today in the Falkland Islands to mark the ending of the Falklands War, which ended 34 years ago after 74 days of Argentine occupation. Liberation Day as it is officially known in the Falklands is commemorated every year on the 14th June in the Islands and is a national holiday.

 Today marks the 34th anniversary of the ending of the Falklands War and commemorations were held in the capital Stanley to mark the event. The 14th June anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands from Argentinean occupation in 1982 is commemorated each year and is a national public holiday.

Following on from a thanksgiving service held at the Christ Church Cathedral this morning in Stanley – attended by the Governor of the Falklands, Members of the local Legislative Assembly and Commander of the British Forces – troops marched to the Liberation Monument, where wreaths were laid. The marching troops consisted of soldiers from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, as well as volunteer soldiers from the local Falkland Islands Defence Force.

The ceremony held at the Liberation Monument was attended by the Royal British Legion and Associations, members of local youth group, veterans from 1982, as well as a few hundred local residents. The ceremony included prayers and a wreath laying service where the Governor, MLA Michael Poole, local officials and numerous others laid wreaths to honour those who gave their lives for the Falkland’s liberation. A public reception is currently being hosted by the Falkland Islands Government in the local Town Hall, with a number of other events scheduled throughout the day.

The 1982 war, which began on April 2nd and last 74 days, cost the lives of 255 British and 655 Argentine servicemen, as well as three Falkland Islanders. The ceremonies and events held today to mark the liberation, and over the past few weeks to commemorate the many lives lost, are held in high importance by Islanders who look to express the gratitude they feel towards the servicemen and women who came to their aid 34 years ago.

Further events have been held across the United Kingdom today, including a reception which is scheduled to be held tomorrow in London, which will be attended by many Falkland Islanders living in the UK and where Member of the Legislative Assembly Jan Cheek will give a speech on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government.