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Veterans mark Falklands conflict Veterans mark Falklands conflict
(30 minutes later)
A national event is marking 25 years since UK forces freed the Falklands from Argentine occupation. About 10,000 people have joined a national event marking 25 years since the end of the Falklands war.
A ceremony is taking place at Horse Guards Parade in central London and veterans and islanders are also sharing memories of the war in a TV link-up. A ceremony took place at Horse Guards Parade in central London while veterans and islanders shared memories of the conflict in a television 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. Afterwards, veterans marched 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. In the Falklands, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward lay wreaths.
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.
The event began with the massed bands of the RAF and the Welsh and Scots Guards leading thousands of veterans and serving soldiers into the parade ground.The event began with the massed bands of the RAF and the Welsh and Scots Guards leading thousands of veterans and serving soldiers into the parade ground.
Veterans and serving personnel attended the event
Servicemen and women who fought in the conflict and Falkland Islanders then began to describe their experiences of the war.Servicemen and women who fought in the conflict and Falkland Islanders then began to describe their experiences of the war.
Hymns, music and readings were also used to evoke memories of the campaign during the hour-long spectacle.Hymns, music and readings were also used to evoke memories of the campaign during the hour-long spectacle.
Hundreds of spectators filled stands lining Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall and applauded as each contingent of Falklands veterans - Navy, RAF, Army and Royal Marines - and their serving colleagues marched into the square.Hundreds of spectators filled stands lining Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall and applauded as each contingent of Falklands veterans - Navy, RAF, Army and Royal Marines - and their serving colleagues marched into the square.
VETERANS LEADING THE PARADE Admiral Sir Alan West, who 25 years ago, commanded the frigate HMS Ardent which was sunk during hostilities Major General Jim Dutton, who served as a signals officer, led the Royal Marines GroupLieutenant General Sir John Kiszely, was company commander 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and fought in the battle to take Tumbledown mountain Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, who flew Harrier jump-jets from HMS HermesVETERANS LEADING THE PARADE Admiral Sir Alan West, who 25 years ago, commanded the frigate HMS Ardent which was sunk during hostilities Major General Jim Dutton, who served as a signals officer, led the Royal Marines GroupLieutenant General Sir John Kiszely, was company commander 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and fought in the battle to take Tumbledown mountain Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, who flew Harrier jump-jets from HMS Hermes
'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, who served as a helicopter pilot during the war, took to the stage to recount the events of "bomb alley" where British vessels came under attack from Argentine fighters.
"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. He told the audience: "Ships came alongside other stricken vessels transferring rescuers and survivors. Helicopters lifted men off fire-riddled ships and recovered men, escaping the carnage, from the freezing waters."
Veterans and serving personnel marched into the parade ground He said earlier that 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.
"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. For many veterans the event was a reunion
Royal roleRoyal role
Other guests at Horse Guards Parade will included 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 included 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.
There 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, a live television link-up with the Falkland Islands united the two with hymns and readings from the parade ground.
At the same time as the commemoration at Horse Guards Parade, Falkland Islanders were joined by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward. The service ended with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.
A live TV link-up united the two with hymns sung and readings from the parade ground.
The service will end with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.
Remembrance serviceRemembrance service
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.
There were some great feats of courage and this needs to be highlighted and remembered L/Sgt Jamie Simeon
"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 was 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 was 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."
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.
In the Falklands, Prince Edward attended a service in Stanley.In the Falklands, Prince Edward attended a service in Stanley.