Falklands : FALKLANDS: ONE VETERAN’S WORDS OF HOPE
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 24.06.2012 (Article Archived on 08.07.2012)
Kenny Ward served in 12 Regiment, Royal Artillery was invited to say a few words during the Liberation Songs of Praise Service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday by the Rev Dr Richard Hines.
FALKLANDS: ONE VETERAN’S WORDS OF HOPE
By Kenny Ward
Kenny Ward served in 12 Regiment, Royal Artillery was invited to say a few words during the Liberation Songs of Praise Service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday by the Rev Dr Richard Hines.
“Firstly, welcome everybody. I would like to say thank-you to my regiment of the British Forces who were here during the 1982 Conflict and also esteemed veterans who are sitting amongst our congregation this evening.
Thirty years ago I knelt in front of this alter praying for the life of my very best friend and I made a promise to the vicar at the time (the late Rev Harry Bagnall) that should he survive his injuries then one day I would return and thank the Islands and their people and him and his church for the answer to my prayers. And indeed two years ago I brought him back to the Islands and we celebrated together, as he is alive today and I am grateful.
In coming to the Islands it became apparent to me that although I stood on the side-lines for 28 years I watched the Island and the Islanders blossom and grow as the community prospered. I remembered the devastation, destruction and death that was here and then I realised that I and all my fellow members of the services that were involved in that conflict were able to give you, the Islanders the ability to shine the light of democracy across the sea into South America and indeed currently there are fledgling democracies occurring there shining the light from these Islands and the people who inhabit these Islands because yours was the community that was unique anywhere on this planet, anywhere in the world in the sense that you express humanity, dignity and respect not only for your children but for each other and for everybody outside these Islands which is a unique ability the Islanders have.
And I stand breathless at the achievements you have made as a community, as a people; and I am overwhelmed by the reception, the love and affection that the Islanders give us, from the services – the personnel who, on reflection, have had the honour to allow you to prosper in the way that you have.
This beacon of democracy that I talk about is, in my view, the brightest beacon that ever appears on this earth. It should be used as a benchmark for all other democracies throughout the world.
My feelings are that whatever miniscule part I played in having the honour to be a part of everything is worth it.
(100X Transcription Service)
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