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| | Wednesday, 13 November, 2002, 16:41 GMT Q&A: Falklands' War veterans  Veterans attended a Remembrance Day service
She was with them at the ceremony at the San Carlos war cemetery where many who fought in the battles to re-capture the islands from Argentina in 1982 are buried. Veterans who fought in those battles or who were on the ships destroyed by Argentine forces have spoken of their feelings at returning to the scene of the conflict. We invited you to put your questions to some of those veterans. Here are some of the answers. What is worth it? Q - My brother - who was just 18 years old at the time - was almost killed when HMS Glamorgan was hit by an exocet missile during the conflict. Was it necessary to send all those boys to their deaths or did Thatcher do it to boost her own popularity, as it was flagging at the time? K. Jones, Wales A - Alan Matthews of Canterbury, Kent, who is in the Royal Artillery, said: "Regardless of which PM was in power, the conflict would have happened - you have to defend sovereign territory. "We all suffer what is called 'survival guilt'." "If your brother needs to, you should get him to contact the South Atlantic Medal Association." Has war service helped you? Q - Do you think your service in the Falklands has been advantageous to you in any way since your return to the UK? Do you think the general public of the UK appreciates what you did, or are they generally apathetic towards veterans as a whole?
A - Mike Bateman, of Aldershot, who served in 3 Para and was at the Battle of Mount Longdon, said: "Service was advantageous. "Obviously we all had bad times - the Falkland Islanders did - back home in the UK." Who paid for your trip? Q - Why didn't the Ministry of Defence pay {for the veterans'} trip to the Falklands? A - The BBC's Gail Foley and Sam Allanson-Bailey, of the Falkland Islands Government Office, said: "The MoD did not pay for their trip because they generally help out with 25th rather than 20th anniversaries. "Veterans are now planning their trip in 2007." How would you react to an Argentinean veteran? Q - If you had a veteran Argentinean soldier in front of you, what would you say to him? A - John Jones, of the Welsh Guards, said: "It depends on his attitude. "If he accepted British sovereignty, we could have a chat. "If he didn't, he would get a smack in the gob." Was it worth it? Was it worth it, looking back 20 years? John Jones, of the Welsh Guards, said: ""Of course it was. "The islanders were given a second chance and I think they have taken it with both hands and are going forward." | | See also:  11 Nov 02 | Wales 09 Nov 02 | Wales 06 Nov 02 | Wales 11 Nov 02 | UK 06 Nov 02 | England 11 Nov 02 | UK Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Wales stories now: Links to more Wales stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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