Veterans of the Falklands War will mark the outbreak of the anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict 40 years ago with a commemorative service in County Durham.
The service will be held at St Paul’s Church, Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, on Saturday, April 2 - the day the Argentinians invaded the islands in 1982.
Pete Molloy, a veteran of the Royal Corps of Signals, who has organised the event said: "During the Falkland War 255 people in the British services lost their lives. It is very important that we remember we remember those sacrifices.
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"They went down to the Falkland Islands to protect out own people – British people that live on the islands that were invaded by a foreign force."
Mr Molloy, who served in Northern Ireland and the First Gulf War, added: "The Falklands War was a conflict that involved all three services of the armed forces.
"They will all be represented on the day. It will be an emotional service. There will be veterans who were in the Falklands during the war attending."
The event will start with a parade at 10.45am, followed by a church service at 11am. It will include the screening of a video of a veteran, speaking of his experiences as hereturned to the island after 35 years.
Read more: Veteran recalls moment gun failed to fire amid fierce conflict
There wll also be a reading by Falklands War Veteran Peter Reed, who served with the Royal Engineers.
The service, led by the vicar, Reverend Matt Tarling, will be attended by County Durham deputy Lord Lieutenant Commander.
On April 2 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. Three days later, on April 5, a UK task force set sail to recapture the Islands and restore freedom for the Islanders.
About 25,9099 UK Armed Forces personnel, alongside around 3,000 civilian crew from the Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Chinese civilian crew, formed the Task Force involved in the liberation of the Falkland Islands, of whom 255 died during the campaign. In addition, three civilian Falkland Islanders were also lost their lives during the war.
Following several weeks of intense fighting, Argentine forces surrendered on 14 June 1982, a date that has since been known in the Falkland Islands as ‘Liberation Day’ and is a national holiday.
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