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Veterans mark Falklands conflict Veterans mark Falklands conflict
(40 minutes later)
About 10,000 people have joined a national event marking 25 years since the end of the Falklands war. Some 10,000 people have joined a national event marking 25 years since the end of the Falklands war.
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.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.
Afterwards, veterans marched up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and aircraft will take part in a fly-past. Afterwards, veterans marched up the Mall to Buckingham Palace and aircraft took part in a fly-past.
In the Falklands, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward lay wreaths. In the Falklands, Armed Forces minister Adam Ingram and Prince Edward laid wreaths.
Aircraft taking part saw active service in the conflict. Helicopters and aircraft representing the squadrons that took part in the conflict flew over the Mall.
But a Vulcan bomber, which has not been restored in time, will not be joining them. In a dramatic finale, dignitaries, veterans and thousands of spectators watched as the Red Arrows flew in a V-shape to represent the Vulcan bombers that played a vital role in the war and trailed red, white and blue smoke.
HAVE YOUR SAY War should be commemorated not celebrated. Let's remember those brave men and women who gave their lives Bob, Guilford class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6616&edition=1&ttl=20070614110616">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. 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 Hermes class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6761837.stm">Parade in pictures
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 Hermes Veterans and serving personnel attended the event
'Truly amazing' The event centred on a stage in the shape of the Falkland Isles which was surrounded by the veterans, many with medals pinned to their blazers and wearing their regiment's berets.
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.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.
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."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."
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
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.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.
For many veterans the event was a reunion Other guests at Horse Guards Parade included Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Baroness Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time of the conflict.
Royal 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.
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, a live television link-up with the Falkland Islands united the two with hymns and readings from the parade ground.
The service ended with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.The service ended with the Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.
Remembrance service 'Ultimate sacrifice'
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 For many veterans the event was a reunion
"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."
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.