MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands permanent flagpole at Portsmouth harbour

The ceremonial Falkland Islands flag was presented by MLA Leona Roberts to the Lord Mayor, Cllr David Fuller, before being blessed by a local priest

Falkland Islands lawmakers MLAs Mark Pollard, Leona Roberts and Roger Spink on 24th May visited Portsmouth to present a ceremonial Falkland Islands flag and plaque to the City of Portsmouth and its veterans; to be flown at the Falklands Memorial by the Square Tower, on the iconic Portsmouth harbour.

The ceremonial Falkland Islands flag was presented by MLA Leona Roberts to the Lord Mayor, Cllr David Fuller, before being blessed by a local priest.

The flag was raised on the Square Tower flagpole overlooking the entrance to the historic harbor. After the official ceremony, Councilor Steve Pitt, Deputy Leader of Portsmouth Council told the group that a permanent flag pole flying a Falkland Islands flag is to be erected by the memorial, and the donated flag would be used for special ceremonial occasions.

The Falklands memorial with a flag would act as a permanent reminder for the sacrifice service personnel made for their country and the gratitude felt by Islanders for their liberation.

MLA Roberts said that she was honored to present the flag to such a historic city with such close ties to the 1982 conflict, and that it was still relevant with HMS Clyde being based in Portsmouth

She said, “As the Falkland Islands develop and grow, we always remember the motto ‘From the sea, freedom’; something quite symbolic and powerful to say in such a historic place, from which the Task Force left, and sadly, not all returned.

There was such a great sacrifice made by so many men and women, which has allowed our country to make such progress since.”

Veteran, Barry Jones said, “to have a flag up 365 days a year to remember all those who gave their lives is terrific.”