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End of Falklands War to be marked End of Falklands War to be marked
(about 3 hours later)
Commemorations are set to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands by UK armed forces.Commemorations are set to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands by UK armed forces.
The Queen and Tony Blair are expected to join veterans at a service of remembrance at the Falklands Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire. The Queen and Tony Blair will join veterans at a remembrance service in the Falklands Islands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne College, Berkshire.
A commemoration service at Stanley Cathedral will be among events taking place on the south Atlantic islands. A service at Stanley Cathedral will be among events taking place on the south Atlantic islands.
The islands were liberated on 14 June, 1982, two and half months after they were invaded by Argentina. The Falklands were liberated on 14 June, 1982, two and half months after they were invaded by Argentina.
'Open wound''Open wound'
Twenty-five years ago, white flags flew over Port Stanley as Argentine troops laid down their weapons after weeks of fighting. Twenty five years ago Argentine troops laid down their weapons after weeks of fighting.
A total of 255 British servicemen, more than 600 Argentines and three islanders were killed in the 74-day conflict. A total of 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 that there would be no major commemorations. BBC correspondent Jack Izzard in Argentina said he expected a few veterans to lay wreaths but there would would be no major commemorations.
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. It is fitting that we begin by remembering the fallen and those whose lives have been changed by their loss Des Browne class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6750189.stm">Prince in Falklands ceremony
"For most people here it's not some footnote in history. The Malvinas are still an open wound in the Argentine national consciousness," our correspondent said. 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.
At the end of the service at Pangbourne College near Reading, the Queen will place a stone from one of the battle sites on top of other such stones to form a memorial cairn. "For most people here it's not some footnote in history. The Malvinas are still an open wound in the Argentine national consciousness," our correspondent added.
Prior to the service in Pangbourne, near Reading, a flypast of four Joint Force Harriers - representing the Harrier squadrons from the time - will salute the Queen
The service of thanksgiving will focus on remembering those who lost their lives in the conflict, and will be attended by their families, children and friends.
Defence Secretary Des Browne will also attend.
He said the liberation of the islands had been a "huge achievement" for forces who had been operating in harsh conditions.
"Our anniversary commemorations will show our appreciation for Falklands veterans and their families. It is fitting that we begin by remembering the fallen and those whose lives have been changed by their loss," he said.
Rallying call
After the commemoration the Queen will place a stone from one of the battle sites on top of 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.
A flypast of four Harriers, representing No 1 (F) Squadron Royal Air Force, No IV (AC) Squadron Royal Air Force, No 800 Naval Air Squadron and No 801 Naval Air Squadron will salute the Queen.
In the Falklands, a special message from the Queen will be broadcast to the islanders by Governor Alan Huckle on radio.In the Falklands, a special message from the Queen will be broadcast to the islanders by Governor Alan Huckle on radio.
Rallying call
In 1982 Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister, 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.In 1982 Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister, 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.
Forty-eight Welsh Guards died when the Sir Galahad was attackedForty-eight Welsh Guards died when the Sir Galahad was attacked
She is expected to join veterans of the conflict at a service of remembrance at the Royal Navy College in Greenwich.
Events are taking place across the UK to mark the anniversary.Events are taking place across the UK to mark the anniversary.
In Scotland service personnel will lay a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh before attending a special service at St Giles Cathedral.In Scotland service personnel will lay a wreath at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh before attending a special service at St Giles Cathedral.
HMS Exeter, which was involved in the conflict, will also be docked in the Scottish capital.HMS Exeter, which was involved in the conflict, will also be docked in the Scottish capital.
Falkland Islanders will be joined by Prince Edward as they commemorate the 25th anniversary at Liberation Monument in the capital Stanley. Falkland Islanders will be joined by Prince Edward as they commemorate the 25th anniversary at the Liberation Monument in the capital Stanley.
The prince has already joined a ceremony for British servicemen killed in the bombing of troop ships during the war. The prince has already attended a ceremony for British servicemen killed in the bombing of troop ships during the war.
The prince laid a wreath in Fitzroy in the Falkland Islands in their honour. The prince laid a wreath in Fitzroy, where Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were attacked and 51 troops killed.
Meanwhile on Wednesday Baroness Thatcher issued a rallying call to British troops in war zones in a special message to mark the 25th anniversary. On Wednesday Baroness Thatcher issued a rallying call to British troops in war zones in a special message to mark the anniversary.
In a message broadcast by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, she said in "the struggle against evil... we can all today draw hope and strength" from the Falklands victory. In a broadcast via the British Forces Broadcasting Service, she said in "the struggle against evil... we can all today draw hope and strength" from the Falklands victory.
"Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave... and none are braver than our armed forces," she added."Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave... and none are braver than our armed forces," she added.