MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands to mark 44th anniversary of Liberation Day on 14 June

At 11 a.m. a parade and ceremony will take place at the Liberation Monument, in front of the Secretariat building

The Falkland Islands will mark the 44th anniversary of Liberation Day on Sunday, June 14, commemorating the end of the 1982 Argentine occupation. The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has released the official program of events, which will combine a religious service, a military parade and a civic reception in Stanley.

The day will begin at 9.45 a.m. with a thanksgiving service at Christ Church Cathedral. His Excellency the Governor, Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Commander British Forces will attend, along with representatives of the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Falkland Islands Defence Force and the Merchant Navy. The service will be supported by the Band of the 6th Battalion of Rifles, with youth groups in attendance, as well as veterans from 1982, including local residents.

At 11 a.m. a parade and ceremony will take place at the Liberation Monument, in front of the Secretariat building. After prayers, the Governor will lay a wreath. Wreaths will also be laid by a Member of the Legislative Assembly, the Commander British Forces, official FIG guests, representatives of the armed services, veteran associations, and relatives or others wishing to do so.

Officials asked residents planning to attend to arrive no later than 10.45 a.m. and to heed the road closures planned in the area of Barrack Street/Ross Road and Reservoir Road.

The FIG will then host a civic reception at the Falkland Islands Defence Force Club, from 11.45 a.m. to 2 p.m. All residents and members of the armed services are invited. Organizers noted that it is appropriate to wear medals and decorations for the occasion.

Liberation Day commemorates the end of the 1982 war, which lasted about ten weeks after Argentina's invasion on April 2 and concluded with the surrender of Argentine forces on June 14. In all, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British personnel and three islanders died in the conflict. The date is a public holiday in the archipelago and is observed each year with solemn ceremonies in the capital.

Argentina maintains its sovereignty claim over the islands, which the United Kingdom and the islanders reject, upholding the right to self-determination. The official notice was issued from Sulivan House on June 1.