LIBERATION DAY: A DIGNIFIED AFFAIR
By J. Brock (FINN)
The service and ceremony to mark the 21st anniversary of liberation from Argentine occupation in the Falklands was a low-key and dignified affair that began with a memorial service in Christ Church Cathedral. The service began with the arrival of H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce and the brief prayer of introduction by Commander British Forces Falkland Islands, Brigadier Jamie Gordon.
"We remember before God those who died in the conflict to liberate the Falkland Islands. The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Following this, the Book of Remembrance was borne into the Cathedral by a representative of the Falkland Islands Defence Force.
Bidding prayers were then said by Monsignor Michael McPartland of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He asked that God be thanked for our liberation and for the courage, determination and endurance of the Task Force in 1982:
"We remember the fallen and commend them to God’s keeping. May he work in them the purpose of his perfect will. We pray for those who were wounded; we share in the sufferings of those who mourn, and pray that God may strengthen them now and in the years ahead. We pray for all who live in the Falkland Islands and for peace and reconciliation in the South Atlantic. May this service unite us, strengthen our spirit and sustain our hopes so that we commit ourselves to be makers of peace in a divided world."
Words of welcome to the service were said by the Priest in Charge of Christ Church Cathedral, the Rev. Paul Sweeting.
"A very warm welcome to you this morning to your Cathedral. And, a particularly warm welcome to H. E. the Governor and Commander British Forces. Your presence here today is a reminder of the freedom and the protection that we enjoy."
And this was followed by the hymn "Immortal, Invisible God only wise." After the hymn, H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce read the first lesson, which was taken from the Old Testament Book of Micah Chapter 4 Verses 1 to 4. The hymn following was "Praise My Soul, The King Of Heaven." The second lesson, Psalm 46, was read by a representative from the Royal Navy. Following this, the hymn, "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer" was sung. The third lesson, Romans 8:31-39, was read by the Chief of Staff. "Fight the Good Fight" followed on.
Prayers were than said alternately by the Rev. Ken Newton from the Seamen’s |Mission and the Tabernacle and the Armed Forces Chaplain. These prayers were for the Queen and her authority, for the wounded, for remembrance and for ourselves. "The Lord’s My Shepherd," based on the 23rd Psalm, preceded the fourth lesson, read by a representative of the Falkland Islands Community.
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Jesus said, as my Father loved me, so I loved you. Now, remain in my love.If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants for servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends.
For everything I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not chose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bare fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. This is my command: love each other."
THE SERMON BY THE REVERAND PAUL SWEETING.
"Well, it doesn’t seem that long ago that I was at Blue Beach, San Carlos, for the Landing Day Ceremony. We’d had the ceremony itself and I was stood by the Cemetery chatting to an Islander afterwards. People were warming themselves up with Mulled Wine and cups of tea. And, with a low roar, the Tornado ripped up San Carlos Water, dipped his wings and was off. My companion smiled to himself and said, "we call that the sound of freedom." The sound of freedom, yes indeed! It was good to be stood there at the side of what was "bombers’ alley" and see for myself the transformation. It’s all the difference in the world – the difference between squatting in a foxhole for cover or standing with your hands in your pockets and smiling. The sound of freedom.
I remember, too, the day I went up Mt. William. I had gone roaming across the hills and it was a sunny, bright day. I sat for a rest just below the summit and I could see all these little ponds on the tip between Mt. William and Tumbledown. It took a moment or two for reality to sink in. Of course, they weren’t ponds, they were craters. This landscape is pock-marked with the memory of battle, filled with water, reflecting the sky.
Here men lived and died for freedom, on the threshold of victory, within sight of Stanley. It was only three weeks from San Carlos. Three weeks – San Carlos to Stanley. It’s not so long from Landing Day to Liberation Day – 21st of May to 14th of June. But for some young men in 1982, my guess is that they were the longest weeks of their lives. And, of course, the period of conflict is much longer than that anyway. My guess is that it felt a long time sat onboard ship in "bombers’ alley" as the logistics took painfully long to sort out. I imagine it felt a long time in Stanley – a long time waiting in Camp, with rumours and news of what was unfolding.
You see, the trouble for someone like me is this: I look at what happened here in 1982 through the lens of today, Liberation Day. I look back to San Carlos or Goose Green, Fitzroy, knowing that the victory was won. But for those who were here in 1982 – for those on the ships, in the air, and on the land, there were not the same certainties. Determination, yes, but not the same certainty. People shut in a community centre, hearing the sound of battle, troops fighting their way up Longdon, Harriet, Tumbledown, Two Sisters, pilots seeing off air attacks, crews deep inside ships and in submarines and in Camp and here in Stanley, people waiting and wondering, hoping and praying.
So, I know that some of you will come here today, having made the journey from April to June all over again, forwards towards Liberation Day, through the memories and the uncertainties that you faced. But now we are here on Liberation Day itself, celebrating, giving thanks and remembering.
I do believe that Tornado I saw is a symbol of freedom, a sign of liberation. For a civilian like me, it’s a bit strange in a way that a machine of war, a plane designed to unleash fire and death should be a symbol of freedom but there it is. I grew up in London where Spitfires still stir powerful memories for people there. Every time I see a Tornado, I think of those words.
And, if you stop to think about it, it’s also odd that the Cross should be the symbol of salvation. It’s an instrument of torture and death. It’s odd that the Cross is the symbol of God coming to our world and saving us. Just as that Tornado is the symbol of freedom, I hope that whenever you see a cross, you will take it as a symbol of salvation.
People laid down their lives here for freedom in these Islands. And, when they did, probably without realising it, they echoed the deeds of a man stretching out his arms and dying on a Cross, bringing freedom and salvation, or, to put it in the man’s own words, "Greater Love Has No One Than This, That He Lay Down His Life For His Friends."
Tornadoes and the Cross – may Tornadoes always remind us of the sound of freedom and the Cross always remind us it is the sign of salvation."
Following the sermon, the Offertory Hymn, "Eternal Father Strong To Save" was sung and the Lords Prayer said by all. After the Blessing, the National Anthem was sung and the people left the church led by the Rev. Paul Sweeting, H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce and CBFFI, Brigadier Jamie Gordon and Mrs Gordon.
At the Liberation Monument:
People made their way to the monument where Members of the FIDF, Royal Navy, a Contingent from MPA, Sea Cadets, Marine Cadets, Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Rainbow Guides took there places for the brief ceremony. First to arrive by car was Brigadier Jamie Gordon and his ADC. Next was H.E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce and his ADC. Prayers were said by Rev. Paul Sweeting, Rev, Ken Newton, Monsignor Michael McPartland and the Armed Forces Chaplain. Wreaths were laid by the Governor, CBFFI, Representatives from the Armed Services, Veterans and the Civilian Community. After a moment’s silence the National Anthem was sung and the ceremony was over.
In the Town Hall a reception was held in honour of the occasion at which the Governor attended. He did not make a speech but met as many people as possible.
(100X Transcription Service)
The photos show the ceremony at the Monument, starting with the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion Guard of Honour, a view of the Military Contingents,the Sea Cadets, the arrival of H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce, the laying of the wreath and at the reception following the ceremony.
