This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6760597.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Veterans mark Falklands conflict Veterans mark Falklands conflict
(about 1 hour later)
A national commemorative event is to mark 25 years since UK forces freed the Falklands from Argentine occupation. A national event is marking 25 years since UK forces freed the Falklands from Argentine occupation.
A ceremony is due to take place at Horse Guards Parade in central London, while veterans and islanders will share memories of the war in a TV link-up. A ceremony is taking place at Horse Guards Parade in central London and veterans and islanders will also share memories of the war in a TV link-up.
The Duke of York, who was a Royal Navy pilot during the conflict, will read an extract from a poem by Rudyard Kipling.The Duke of York, who was a Royal Navy pilot during the conflict, will read an extract from a poem by Rudyard Kipling.
Afterwards, veterans will march up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and aircraft will take part in a fly-past.Afterwards, veterans will march up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and aircraft will take part in a fly-past.
Aircraft taking part saw active service in the conflict.Aircraft taking part saw active service in the conflict.
But a Vulcan bomber, which has not been restored in time, will not be joining them.But a Vulcan bomber, which has not been restored in time, will not be joining them.
HAVE YOUR SAY War should be commemorated not celebrated. Let's remember those brave men and women who gave their lives Bob, Guilford Send us your comments Vulcans were used to bomb Port Stanley airport during the conflict and were also a potent symbol during the Cold War.HAVE YOUR SAY War should be commemorated not celebrated. Let's remember those brave men and women who gave their lives Bob, Guilford Send us your comments Vulcans were used to bomb Port Stanley airport during the conflict and were also a potent symbol during the Cold War.
'Truly amazing''Truly amazing'
The Duke of York said the event was an opportunity, not just to remember those who fought and died in the war, but also to say 'thank you' to the people in the UK who supported them.The Duke of York said the event was an opportunity, not just to remember those who fought and died in the war, but also to say 'thank you' to the people in the UK who supported them.
"I think it's very important that those of us who were down there say 'thank you' to a great many people in this country who supported the action in the South Atlantic 25 years ago," he said."I think it's very important that those of us who were down there say 'thank you' to a great many people in this country who supported the action in the South Atlantic 25 years ago," he said.
"We have tried in the past to say 'thank you' but I think this is really the epitome of being able to say 'thank you' for the support that we had. It was truly amazing," said the prince, who served on HMS Invincible."We have tried in the past to say 'thank you' but I think this is really the epitome of being able to say 'thank you' for the support that we had. It was truly amazing," said the prince, who served on HMS Invincible.
Royal roleRoyal role
Other guests at Horse Guards Parade will include Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Chancellor Gordon Brown, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Baroness Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time of the conflict.Other guests at Horse Guards Parade will include Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Chancellor Gordon Brown, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Baroness Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time of the conflict.
The massed bands of the RAF and the Welsh and Scots Guards will lead thousands of veterans and serving soldiers into the parade ground.The massed bands of the RAF and the Welsh and Scots Guards will lead thousands of veterans and serving soldiers into the parade ground.
There were some great feats of courage and this needs to be highlighted and remembered L/Sgt Jamie SimeonThere were some great feats of courage and this needs to be highlighted and remembered L/Sgt Jamie Simeon
At the same time as the commemoration at Horse Guards Parade, Falkland Islanders will be joined by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward.At the same time as the commemoration at Horse Guards Parade, Falkland Islanders will be joined by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward.
A live TV link-up will unite the two with hymns sung and readings made.A live TV link-up will unite the two with hymns sung and readings made.
The service will end with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.The service will end with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.
Remembrance serviceRemembrance service
As preparations got under way, the pathways of St James's Park began to fill with uniformed veterans, along with their wives and families.
John McRobb, 51, had come to march with his comrades from the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. He sailed to the South Atlantic in 1982 on the QE2 before eventually landing at Bluff Cove, and later spent 14 hours in hand-to-hand fighting on Mount Tumbledown.John McRobb, 51, had come to march with his comrades from the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. He sailed to the South Atlantic in 1982 on the QE2 before eventually landing at Bluff Cove, and later spent 14 hours in hand-to-hand fighting on Mount Tumbledown.
The event would be "an emotional day", he said, and also a chance to meet old friends. "It didn't feel like 25 years since the conflict," he added.The event would be "an emotional day", he said, and also a chance to meet old friends. "It didn't feel like 25 years since the conflict," he added.
"It is not remembering it clearly that is the problem, it is trying not to remember it clearly."It is not remembering it clearly that is the problem, it is trying not to remember it clearly.
"It's the nearest thing to having a tattoo on your brain.""It's the nearest thing to having a tattoo on your brain."
Among serving soldiers marching up the Mall with veterans will be L/Sgt Jamie Simeon, 34, of the Scots Guards, whose father, John, was killed in the conflict.Among serving soldiers marching up the Mall with veterans will be L/Sgt Jamie Simeon, 34, of the Scots Guards, whose father, John, was killed in the conflict.
Five years ago, L/Sgt Simeon visited Mount Tumbledown, in the Falklands, where his father was killed by a sniper at the age of 36.Five years ago, L/Sgt Simeon visited Mount Tumbledown, in the Falklands, where his father was killed by a sniper at the age of 36.
L/Sgt Simeon said: "I want to be here, not just for my father's memory, but the memory of everyone who paid the ultimate sacrifice.L/Sgt Simeon said: "I want to be here, not just for my father's memory, but the memory of everyone who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"There were some great feats of courage and this needs to be highlighted and remembered.""There were some great feats of courage and this needs to be highlighted and remembered."
PilgrimagesPilgrimages
Rick Jolly, who was a surgeon commander in the Royal Navy during the war, is also taking part in the event.Rick Jolly, who was a surgeon commander in the Royal Navy during the war, is also taking part in the event.
Dr Jolly, the founding chairman of the Falklands Veteran Association, told BBC News: "We try to help those that are still in trouble. We arrange pilgrimages and visits, it helps people come to terms with their sacrifices."Dr Jolly, the founding chairman of the Falklands Veteran Association, told BBC News: "We try to help those that are still in trouble. We arrange pilgrimages and visits, it helps people come to terms with their sacrifices."
He established and ran a British field hospital in the Falklands. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen and an Argentine equivalent for his care of wounded soldiers from both sides - a unique distinction in modern conflict.He established and ran a British field hospital in the Falklands. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen and an Argentine equivalent for his care of wounded soldiers from both sides - a unique distinction in modern conflict.
The war ended on 14 June 1982, two-and-half-months after the UK territory was invaded by Argentina.The war ended on 14 June 1982, two-and-half-months after the UK territory was invaded by Argentina.
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.
Commemorations took place last week to mark the day the islands were liberated.Commemorations took place last week to mark the day the islands were liberated.
The Queen, Mr Blair and Baroness Thatcher joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire.The Queen, Mr Blair and Baroness Thatcher joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire.
In the Falklands, Prince Edward attended a service in Stanley.In the Falklands, Prince Edward attended a service in Stanley.