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End of Falklands War being marked Services mark Falklands conflict
(20 minutes later)
Commemorations are taking place to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands by UK armed forces.Commemorations are taking place to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falklands by UK armed forces.
The Queen and Tony Blair have joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falklands Islands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne College, Berkshire. The Queen, Tony Blair and Baroness Thatcher have joined veterans for a remembrance service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in Berkshire.
A 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 Falklands 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 the UK territory was invaded by Argentina.
'Open wound' 'Endurance'
Twenty five years ago 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 650 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 there would 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.
It is fitting that we begin by remembering the fallen and those whose lives have been changed by their loss Des Browne Prince in Falklands ceremony I'm filled with sadness for the boys who never came home Steve Kettless, veteran Prince in Falklands ceremony
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 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.
"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 at Pangbourne College, near Reading, a flypast of four Joint Force Harriers - representing the Harrier squadrons from the time - saluted the Queen.
Prior to the service in Pangbourne, 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 will focus on remembering those who lost their lives in the conflict, and will be attended by their families, children and friends. The service of thanksgiving focused on those who lost their lives in the conflict, and was attended by their families, children and friends.
Defence Secretary Des Browne will also attend. Mark Coreth, 48, a troop leader with 4 Troop, B Squadron, Blues and Royals, said there was "sadness but huge feelings of pride" about the campaign.
Mr Coreth, now a sculptor, has created a memorial work featuring three flying black brow albatross birds outside the chapel.
He said he chose the albatross while in the Falklands last year because he believed the bird represented "the courage, endurance and fragility of the campaign but also the islands' past, present and future".
'Huge achievement'
James Hailwood, 25, from Chepstow, was six months old when he lost his father Christopher on the ship Sir Galahad.
"We must remember those who knew them - I never knew my dad - because it's more difficult for them," he said.
Defence Secretary Des Browne also attended the service.
Earlier he said the liberation of the islands had been a "huge achievement" for forces that had been operating in harsh conditions.Earlier he said the liberation of the islands had been a "huge achievement" for forces that 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. After the commemoration, the Queen placed a final stone from one of the battle sites on top of 254 other such stones, to form a memorial cairn.
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.
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.
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. Following the service in Stanley, Falkland Islanders will be joined by Prince Edward as they commemorate the anniversary at the town's Liberation Monument.
Forty-eight Welsh Guards died when the Sir Galahad was attacked HMS Ark Royal sailed up the Thames ahead of the anniversary
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 the Liberation Monument in the capital Stanley.
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, where Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were attacked and 51 troops killed.
On Wednesday Baroness Thatcher issued a rallying call to British troops in war zones in a special message to mark the 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 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. 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.
"Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave... and none are braver than our armed forces," she added. 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."