The twentieth anniversary of the end of the Falklands War has been commemorated in the United Kingdom with a series of events which focused on gratitude to the armed forces and especially on the 255 British servicemen who died liberating the Islands.
Headlines: How did the 14th June in Stanley go?; In the United Kingdom; Arbroath;Order of British Empire
A service to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Falklands war was held at Falklands Gardens, Gosport, looking out onto Portsmouth Harbour where so many ships sailed in 1982 to liberate the Falklands.
British as long as Islander wish said The British Minister for the Armed Forces, the Right Honourable Adam Ingram M.P.
I welcome this opportunity to speak to the people of the Falkland Islands on the 20th anniversary of the end of the Falklands conflict.
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined the Falkland Islands population; ?in paying tribute to the courage of the British Forces' which liberated the Islands from Argentine occupation, 20 years ago. He said that, ?Twenty years on they are showing similar courage around the world ? in Afghanistan, in Sierra Leone, in the Balkans. As we remember the heroism of twenty years ago and of today, our thoughts must not be only with the servicemen and women directly involved, but also with their families'.
The British Minister for the Armed Forces, the Right Honourable Adam Ingram M.P. will, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War, lay a wreath, 'on behalf of the British Government', at the Argentine War Cemetery at Darwin. He will also lay a wreath at the Liberation Memorial in Stanley, in memory of Britons who died in the War. The Minister made the announcement during a press conference at Government House in Stanley.
The Falkland Islands population was very hopeful that Queen Elizabeth or another member of the Royal Family would enhance the 20th anniversary of Liberation commemorations (the word ?celebrations' cannot be officially used) which will take place on Friday 14 June. It was not to be, although Prince Andrew, who fought in the 1982 conflict, has promised to visit the Islands in November when around 200 British War veterans are due to return.
There is rejoicing throughout Britain that England are through to the next round of the World Cup and satisfaction that Argentina has been eliminated. Television audiences for the match reached record numbers, and the roads were unusually quiet.
Former Falkland Islands Governor, Richard Ralph, now ambassador to Romania, is reported in the British Press to be marrying his partner, Jemma Jackson, whom he met and began an affair with in the Falklands.