Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has hosted a special event in the Senedd this week to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the end of the Falklands conflict.
Organised by the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces and Cadets, which Darren chairs, in collaboration with officers from the 160th Brigade (Brecon), the event was attended by the First Minister of Wales, the Leader of the Opposition, and the National Assembly for Wales’ Presiding Officer.
Other attendees included Assembly Members, several veterans of the conflict, and local government Armed Forces Champions.
The service of remembrance incorporated the Wreath of Respect and honoured the 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders who died during the hostilities.
The Wreath of Respect, a project set up on 2014, has travelled around the UK and overseas, where it is laid at memorials and sites connected to the military.
Darren said: “It was an honour to welcome veterans and armed forces representatives to the Senedd on Wednesday to commemorate 35 years since the Falklands conflict came to an end.
“255 people serving with the Armed Forces were killed during the fight to recapture the islands from Argentina, and three civilians also lost their lives. Of these, 48 were Welsh Guardsman, a further 97 were wounded. It was only right to pay tribute to all those involved in the conflict, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country."
Guest speaker Lt. Col. Manny Manfred, who served as a paratrooper in the Falklands conflict, delivered a speech at the event reflecting on his service and the sacrifice of his fellow servicemen.
A Platoon Sergeant at the time, Manfred was involved in the Battle for Mount Longdon – a skirmish that resulted in the British Army’s successful occupation of a key position around the besieged Argentine garrison.