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Services mark Falklands conflict Services mark Falklands conflict
(about 3 hours later)
Commemorations have taken place to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands by UK armed forces.Commemorations have taken place to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands by UK armed forces.
The Queen, Tony Blair and Baroness Thatcher joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire.The Queen, Tony Blair and Baroness Thatcher joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire.
A service in Stanley, attended by 1982 minister Lord Parkinson, is among events being held in the Falklands. A service in Stanley, attended by 1982 minister Lord Parkinson and Prince Edward, was among the Falklands events.
The islands were liberated on 14 June 1982, two and half months after the UK territory was invaded by Argentina. The war came to an end on 14 June 1982, two-and-half-months after the UK territory was invaded by Argentina.
'Endurance'
Some 255 British servicemen, more than 650 Argentines and three islanders were killed in the 74-day conflict.Some 255 British servicemen, more than 650 Argentines and three islanders were killed in the 74-day conflict.
BBC correspondent Jack Izzard in Argentina said he expected a few veterans to lay wreaths but there would be no major commemorations. BBC correspondent Jack Izzard in Argentina said he expected a few veterans would lay wreaths but there would be no major commemorations.
I'm filled with sadness for the boys who never came home Steve Kettless, veteran Prince in Falklands ceremony Once the service is finished and everybody comes out it is a chance to meet friends Julian Ennis, veteran Prince in Falklands ceremony class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6754863.stm">Veterans mark anniversary
People felt shame that the war was lost but agreed with the policy of the current president that the islands should be returned to Argentina, through diplomatic rather than aggressive means, he said. People felt shame the war was lost but agreed with the policy of the current president the islands should be returned to Argentina, through diplomatic rather than aggressive means, he said.
Around half of the Falkland Islands' population of 3,000 attended a service and parade at Stanley's Liberation Monument. Around half of the Falkland Islands' population of 3,000 attended a service, parade and wreath laying ceremony at Stanley's Liberation Monument.
A wreath was laid on behalf of Baroness Thatcher by Lord Parkinson, who served in the War Cabinet in 1982. The government was represented at the events on the island by armed forces minister Adam Ingram.
Speaking outside Stanley Cathedral, Gary Clement, who served with the Royal Marines in 1982 and now lives in Stanley, said the commemorations would be "double-edged". Among those at the service was Julian Ennis, a Royal Engineer who suffered 24% burns when the Sir Galahad was attacked by Argentine planes.
He said: "I think it is a very important thing to keep doing. It doesn't go away for the islanders." He told BBC News 24 remembering the conflict left him with mixed emotions.
Julian Ennis, a Royal Engineer on board the Sir Galahad when it was attacked by Argentine planes, suffered 24% burns. "Once the service is finished and everybody comes out it is a chance to meet friends and you gather together the camaraderie of the task force."
He told BBC News 24 that remembering the conflict left him with mixed emotions.
"We've had a very poignant service in the chapel," he said.
"But once the service is finished and everybody comes out it is a chance to meet friends and you gather together the camaraderie of the task force."
Last Post
Prior to the service at Pangbourne College, near Reading, a flypast of four Joint Force Harriers - representing the Harrier squadrons from the time - saluted the Queen.
As the Queen arrived Steve Kettless, 50, of Aldershot, Hampshire - who fought with 2 Parachute Regiment at Goose Green - said: "I'm filled with sadness for the boys who never came home."
The service of thanksgiving focused on those who lost their lives in the conflict, and was attended by their families, children and friends.
Sara Jones, the widow of Colonel "H" Jones, commanding officer of 2 Para who was killed in the battle of Goose Green and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery, gave a reading.
My memories of the Falklands War are that, just for once, this country stood up to be counted Paul, Abingdon Send your commentsMy memories of the Falklands War are that, just for once, this country stood up to be counted Paul, Abingdon Send your comments
The traditional act of remembrance was led by Rear Admiral Jeremy Sanders CB OBE, who served in the Falklands, which included the words: "They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old." In the UK, a flypast of four Joint Force Harriers - representing the Harrier squadrons from the time - saluted the Queen before the service of thanksgiving at Pangbourne College, near Reading.
Two buglers from the band of HM Royal Marines then played the Last Post. The focus of the service, also attended by Defence Secretary Des Browne, was on those who lost their lives in the conflict.
Defence Secretary Des Browne also attended the service. Sara Jones, the widow of Colonel "H" Jones, commanding officer of 2 Para who was killed in the battle of Goose Green and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery, gave a reading.
Earlier he said the liberation of the islands had been a "huge achievement" for forces that had been operating in harsh conditions. The traditional act of remembrance was led by Rear Admiral Jeremy Sanders CB OBE, who served in the Falklands and two buglers from the band of HM Royal Marines then played the Last Post.
The Queen attended a garden party with the congregation
After the commemoration, the Queen placed a final stone from the Falklands - which was blessed during the service - on top of 254 other such stones, to form a memorial cairn.After the commemoration, the Queen placed a final stone from the Falklands - which was blessed during the service - on top of 254 other such stones, to form a memorial cairn.
It follows a Scottish tradition commemorating those who did not return from battle.It follows a Scottish tradition commemorating those who did not return from battle.
In the Falklands, a special message from the Queen was broadcast to the islanders by Governor Alan Huckle on radio. Special message
Following the church service, also attended by the Earl of Wessex, the prince joined islanders as they commemorated the anniversary at Stanley's Liberation Monument. Events have also taken place across the UK.
Events have taken place across the UK to mark the anniversary.
The Princess Royal attended a Service of Remembrance and Commemoration followed by a "Heroes" dinner at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.The Princess Royal attended a Service of Remembrance and Commemoration followed by a "Heroes" dinner at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.
The Queen placed a stone to form a memorial cairn
She was joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Sara Jones as well as former soldiers, sailors and airmen who had been decorated for bravery during the conflict.She was joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Sara Jones as well as former soldiers, sailors and airmen who had been decorated for bravery during the conflict.
In Scotland service personnel laid a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh before attending a special service at St Giles Cathedral. In Scotland, service personnel laid a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh before attending a special service at St Giles Cathedral.
Around 400 veterans led by a band of the Royal Marines took part in a parade, while two RAF Tornado jets performed a fly-past.Around 400 veterans led by a band of the Royal Marines took part in a parade, while two RAF Tornado jets performed a fly-past.
Neil Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said such a large number of Falklands veterans has never before gathered north of the border..Neil Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said such a large number of Falklands veterans has never before gathered north of the border..
He said: "We're delighted that the turnout was far higher than we expected and that proper tribute could be made."
On Wednesday Baroness Thatcher issued a rallying call to British troops in war zones in a special message to mark the anniversary.
As prime minister she took the decision to send a naval task force 8,000 miles (12,875 km) to the south Atlantic, to reclaim the islands after the Argentines invaded.