As the Falkland Islands Liberation Day approaches, on 14 June, commemoration events and services are being held across the United Kingdom and the Falklands, and over last weekend it was Gosport and Plymouth that marked the 40th anniversary of the 1982 War and honored those who did not return from the South Atlantic.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has offered Veterans free flights to the Falklands after the Standard reported a massive hike in fares to the Islands on the 40th anniversary of the war.
In the 40th anniversary year of the Falklands War, Derek Twigg writes just how the legacy of the war continues to impact Islanders and Veterans 40 years on, and what the future holds for the Islands.
Hundreds of veterans and their families took part in a “very, very moving” ceremony on Sunday to mark the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. Jane Adams, secretary of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (Sama 82) who organized the event, said “there was many a tear” as people of different ranks and ages gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Battle Day was commemorated in the traditional manner at the Cenotaph in central London on Saturday 5th December. The traffic was stopped in Whitehall, and the service was conducted by former Rector of Christchurch Cathedral in Stanley the Rev. Dr. Richard Hines.
Falkland Islanders have been praised for their international campaign of diplomacy explaining their democratic credentials to the world and proclaiming their overwhelming referendum vote for self-determination and retaining their links with the United Kingdom.
Falkland Islands will be holding the annual Service of Remembrance on Sunday 10 November at Christ Church Cathedral. Governor Neil Haywood, Commander British Forces, Members of the Legislative Assembly, visiting and resident South Atlantic veterans, together with Senior Officers of the Armed Services will be attending the Service.
The claim that more Falklands veterans have killed themselves since the war ended than died in action is not borne out by statistics, a study says. Some 255 UK personnel died in action, but a veterans group has said the suicide toll since 1982 exceeds that.
Remembrance Sunday, November 11, was celebrated in the Falkland Islands capital, Stanley with a service at Christ Church Cathedral, followed by a march to the Cross of Sacrifice, the Memorial to all those who laid down their lives for Britain in war, where a service of remembrance and thanksgiving was held in warm and sunny weather.
The Memorial service commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands by British Forces, 10 weeks after they were invaded by Argentina. 252 British Servicemen were killed during the action, plus 3 Island ladies.