JPL

Frank, No awards to Canadians? Jean-Paul

Cuban intellectual, writer and former Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto was decorated with the Order of the Arts and Letters, by the French government. The decoration was awarded by French Ambassador to Havana Jean Mendelsohn, who praised the work of Abel Prieto as Minister of Culture for the last 15 years. Ref: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=524606&Itemid=1 Jean-Paul

For their golden Sun, as his brother-officers called major Sergey Solnechnikov, they received the golden star. In the triumphal hall of the panoramic museum Stalingrad Battle in Volgograd the parents of the major, who sacrificed his life saving soldiers, received the Hero of Russia order for his son. Sergey Solnechnikov died on March 28. During a military exercise in the Far East, a grenade thrown by one of the soldiers bounced back into a group of conscripts. Their commander, Solnechnikov, covered the grenade with his body before it exploded. He was rushed to hospital but doctors were unable to save him.Sergey Solnechnikov was buried with military honors in his home town of Volzhsky and was posthumously awarded the Hero of Russia, Russia's highest honor. Ref: http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/469256.html Jean-Paul

The verdict is finally in: Supreme Court Strikes Down Stolen Valor Act. Here is a link to a large number of news articles on this topic. A wide variety of opinions from both supporters of the act and those opposed can be found here. Makes for some interesting reading. http://news.google.ca/news/story?ncl=http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/veterans-respond-to-court-overturning-lying-law-1.3817434&hl=en&geo=ca Jean-Paul

Found this interesting article: The Pentagon is considering awarding a Distinguished Warfare Medal to drone pilots who work on military bases often far removed from the battlefield. Pentagon officials have been briefed on the medal’s “unique concept,” Charles V. Mugno, head of the Army Institute of Heraldry, told a recent meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, according to a report in Coin World by our former colleague Bill McAllister. Mugno said most combat decorations require “boots on the ground” in a combat zone, but he noted that “emerging technologies” such as drones and cyber combat missions are now handled by troops far removed from combat. The Pentagon has not formally endorsed the medal, but Mugno’s institute has completed six alternate designs for commission approval. The notion of greater recognition for drone pilots has been percolating for some time. Air Force Maj. Dave Blair, writing in the May-June issue of the Air & Space Power Journal, asked how much difference there is in terms of risk “between 10,000 feet and 10,000 miles.” A “manned aircraft . . . that scrapes the top of a combat zone, well outside the range of any realistic threat” is deemed in “combat,” Blair writes, but a Predator firing a missile is considered “combat support.” The proposed medal would rank between the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Soldier’s Medal for exceptional conduct outside a combat zone. Ref: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/drone-pilots-to-get-medals/2012/07/09/gJQAF2PhYW_blog.html Jean-Paul

Hi Antonio, Thank you so much for this hard to find information. Jean-Paul

Washington, DC - The Ambassador to the United States, Rt Hon Mike Moore, hosted an Investiture Ceremony at the New Zealand Embassy on Thursday, May 10 where a number of United States citizens and others based in the US received New Zealand government Royal Honours. Ambassador Moore also presented the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) to four US Navy personnel involved in “Operation Overdue” following the crash of Air New Zealand flight TE901 on Mount Erebus, Antarctica on 28 November 1979, with the loss of life of all 257 passengers and crew. Ambassador Moore said “family and friends were moved by the ceremony. This is a special group of people in the US who have done so much for New Zealand and particularly New Zealand-United States relations. It is right that we pause to say thanks and recognise their achievements. We’ve done the right thing, the right way.” Ambassador Rt Hon Mike Moore conducted the investiture for the following honours: • Peter Stuart Watson – appointed asan Ordinary Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced on the New Year 2012 Honours List, for services to New Zealand – USA relations. Dr. Peter Watson has continued to promote New Zealand - United States relations and established the American Friends of Christchurch to raise funds to support the recovery in Christchurch. • John Henry Whitehead – appointed as an Ordinary Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced on the Queen’s Birthday 2011 Honours List, for services as Secretary to the Treasury. He became Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury in 2003, after holding a number of senior positions in the organisation. During the 1990s, he was the key Treasury official working on the Fiscal Responsibility Act. He effectively led the Treasury through the global recession. He is a recognised leader in the provision of economic advice in New Zealand and internationally. Mr. Whitehead was recently appointed Executive Director of the World Bank. • Richard Lee Armitage – appointed as an Honorary Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit,announced on the Queen’s Birthday 2011 Honours List, for services to New Zealand – USA relations. Mr. Richard Armitage, who was Deputy Secretary of State in the United States from 2004 to 2005, has had a positive influence on the New Zealand-United States relationship through his championing of closer military ties and work for a productive trade relationship. He supports the New Zealand Defence Force’s contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Armitage has strongly argued for the New Zealand-United States free trade agreement. • Constance Ellen Lawn – appointed as an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced on the New Year 2012 Honours List, for services to New Zealand - USA relations. Ms. Constance Lawn was the Radio New Zealand National Washington Correspondent for more than 20 years. Ms. Lawn has promoted New Zealand tourism and snow skiing through the many articles she has written on her time on New Zealand’s ski fields. • Clayton Keith Yeutter – appointed as an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced on the New Year 2012 Honours List, for services to New Zealand – USA relations. Mr. Clayton Yeutter has served two United States Presidents in the areas of agriculture and trade, and is currently involved in international commerce and finance. Through these roles he has helped to promote New Zealand interests for over 20 years. • James Clovis Clad – appointed as an Ordinary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit,announced on the Queen’s Birthday 2011 Honours List, for services to New Zealand – USA relations. Mr. James Clad was a New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade diplomat in the 1970s and 1980s. He has helped to revise and restore the defence relationship between New Zealand and the United States on the basis of mutual interest. • Scott Ronald Dixon – appointed as an Ordinary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, announced on the New Year 2009 Honours List, for services to motorsport. Mr. Scott Dixon has been involved with motorsport for over 25 years. Mr. Dixon has won several racing championships around the world, including the Indianapolis 500 race. Mr. Dixon was the first New Zealand driver to win the 92nd Indianapolis 500 in 2008 and was the 18th driver to record a lights-to-flag victory. He also won the IndyCar Series, a 17-race series in Chicago in 2008. • Maurice Ugo Conti and Sophie Conti – awarded an Honorary New Zealand Bravery Medal for bravery, announced on the 2011 New Zealand Bravery Awards List. On October 12, 2008, Maurice and Sophie Conti rescued three civilian sailors off the coast of Suva after they picked up a “Mayday” call for help. Recipients of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) were: • Commander David A. Srite, US Navy (Retired) - As Commanding Officer of VXE-6 Squadron, Commander Srite happened to be the navigator on a South Pole flight on the 28th of November 1979 that was diverted to find the downed Air New Zealand flight. His navigation was a key element of locating the Air New Zealand wreckage. • Lieutenant Commander John Williamson, US Navy (Retired) - As a pilot in the VXE6, Sqn Cdr Williamson flew many recovery missions from the crash site and Williams Field in support of Operation Overdue. • Lieutenant Commander Edward Klonoski, US Navy (Retired) – As the co-pilot on a South Pole flight on the 28th of November 1979, his aircraft was responsible for locating the Air New Zealand wreckage. His role as co-pilot included maintaining radio communications with his base and reporting on each pass over the crash site. • Commander Chaplain Lee S. Clark, US Navy (Retired) - Chaplain Lee Clark was posted as Chaplain to the US Naval Support Force, Operation Deep Freeze based in Williams Field from December 1-12, 1979. He was posted as a member of the remains handling team to provide pastoral support and voluntarily attached himself as the assistant to the Base Medical Officer who examined the remains as they were heli-lifted into the base. Together they handled directly 209 complete bodies and over 100 partial remains. Ref: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1205/S00238/royal-honours-and-bravery-awards-to-us-based-recipients.htm Jean-Paul

Norway's most decorated citizen Gunnar Sønsteby passed away in an Oslo nursing home after an illness. Sønsteby was one of the most prominent members of the Norwegian resistance movement during the German occupation of Norway during World War II. Sønsteby was also one of the most highly decorated personsin Norway receiving among others was the War Cross with three swords. Read the complete article: http://theforeigner.no/pages/news/great-norwegian-war-hero-dies/ Jean-Paul

A Taiwanese entrepreneur was decorated by the Japanese government Friday for her efforts to promote relations between Taiwan and Japan for more than two decades. Tsai Hsueh-ni, the first Taiwanese woman to receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. On May 8, Tsai also received a gold medal from the Japanese Red Cross Society. Read the complete article: http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aIPL&ID=201205110023 Link may be a bit slow... Jean-Paul

Ricardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, received yet another prestigious international honor, this one the highest the Catholic Church can award. Pope Benedict XVI bestowed on Muti the Knight of the Grand Cross First Class of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, the highest papal honor, following a concert the Italian maestro conducted at the Vatican with the orchestra and chorus of Rome’s Teatro dell'Opera. Muti, 70, is music director for life of the Rome opera. Read the complete article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-muti-receives-papal-honor-20120511,0,132363.column Jean-Paul

Here is a link to a image of the NATO Medal with bar for LIBYA. http://www.eekelers-centini.be/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=952795 Jean-Paul

Spc. James Halterman of Marengo, a former member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Woodstock, was awarded the Soldier's Medal April 22 for his heroic actions that saved the life of a fellow citizen in July 2011. Halterman came upon the scene of a vehicle accident before first responders arrived and without regard for his own personal safety, pulled an unconscious driver out of a burning truck. For his actions Halterman was awarded the nation's highest honor a Soldier can receive for an act of heroism not involving conflict with an enemy. Read the complete story: http://readme.readmedia.com/Marengo-veteran-awarded-Soldiers-Medal-for-bravery/3828765 Jean-Paul

This is a new medal which has just been instituted. Maritime Museum of British Columbia S.S. Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence Beginning in 2012, the Maritime Museum of BC, Victoria, is issuing the SS Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence to up to three individuals who have made outstanding contributions to nautical endeavours in our Province. These attainments may include science, technology, business, maritime skills applications, nautical heritage and culture, and academic contributions. The gold‐plated Medal, which incorporates copper from the 19th century steamship S.S. Beaver, underlines BC’s vivid maritime history and highlights the continuing importance of our maritime sector. Complete details and photo of the new medal can be found here: http://mmbc.bc.ca/about-2/s-s-beaver-medal/ Jean-Paul

President Jacob Zuma honoured men and women who have made great contributions to South Africa's democracy by bestowing National Orders on them at a ceremony. The recipients were recognised for their acts of bravery, for their contribution in educating others and for their role during the struggle for freedom. The following orders were awarded: the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of Companions of OR Tambo. The recipients for the Order of Mendi are Neil Johnson Sharrocks, for putting his life at risk saving the lives of 44 children who were in danger of drowning when the bus they were traveling in capsized and fell into the river and Michael Janse van Rensburg (posthumous) for the act of bravery, courage and fearlessness by putting his life in danger to save a fellow human being who was drowning. For the Order of Ikhamanga, the recipients are Gladys Faith Agulhas, Jonathan "Johnny" Clegg, Muthal Naidoo, Joseph Nong "Joe" Thloloe, Daniel "Cheeky" Watson and Julian Sebothane Bahula. For the Order of Baobab, the recipients are Selwyn "Scully" Levin, Gladys Ramahuta, Zane Maureen Wilson, Professor Daniel Gerhardus Krige, Reverend Fenner Christian Kadalie (posthumous), Professor Christopher John Robert Dugard, Frank Kennan Dutton, Lwandle Wilson Magadla (posthumous), John Stephen Gomas (posthumous), Elizabeth Sophia Honman (Bettie du Toit) (posthumous) , Peter Ramoshoane Mokaba (posthumous), Josiah Tshangana Gumede (posthumous), Zaccheus Richard Mahabane (posthumous) , Sefako Mapogo Makgatho (posthumous), James Sebebubijwasekgogobontharile Moroka (posthumous) and Alfred Bitini Xuma (posthumous) . Recipients for the Order of Mapungubwe are Dr Patience Mthunzi, Professor Barry David Schoub, Albert Mvumbi Luthuli (posthumous) and Oliver Reginald "OR" Tambo (posthumous). For the Order of Companions of OR Tambo, the recipients are, Professor Apollon B Davidson, Randall Robinson and Edward M Kennedy (posthumous). Read the complete news story: http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/12/12042809551001 Jean-Paul

President Barack Obama named thirteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The awards will be presented at the White House in late spring. President Obama said, “These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation. They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognizing them with this award.” The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Madeleine Albright From 1997 to 2001, under President William J. Clinton, Albright served as the 64th United States Secretary of State, the first woman to hold that position. During her tenure, she worked to enlarge NATO and helped lead the Alliance’s campaign against terror and ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, pursued peace in the Middle East and Africa, sought to reduce the dangerous spread of nuclear weapons, and was a champion of democracy, human rights, and good governance across the globe. From 1993 to 1997, she was America’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Since leaving office, she founded the Albright Stonebridge Group and Albright Capital Management, returned to teaching at Georgetown University, and authored five books. Albright chairs the National Democratic Institute and is President of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. John Doar Doar was a legendary public servant and leader of federal efforts to protect and enforce civil rights during the 1960s. He served as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. In that capacity, he was instrumental during many major civil rights crises, including singlehandedly preventing a riot in Jackson, Mississippi, following the funeral of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evars in 1963. Doar brought notable civil rights cases, including obtaining convictions for the 1964 killings of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi, and leading the effort to enforce the right to vote and implement the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He later served as Special Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary as it investigated the Watergate scandal and considered articles of impeachment against President Nixon. Doar continues to practice law at Doar Rieck Kaley & Mack in New York. Bob Dylan One of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century, Dylan released his first album in 1962. Known for his rich and poetic lyrics, his work had considerable influence on the civil rights movement of the 1960s and has had significant impact on American culture over the past five decades. He has won 11 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award. He was named a Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Art et des Lettresand has received a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation. Dylan was awarded the 2009 National Medal of Arts. He has written more than 600 songs, and his songs have been recorded more than 3,000 times by other artists. He continues recording and touring around the world today. William Foege A physician and epidemiologist, Foege helped lead the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s. He was appointed Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1977 and, with colleagues, founded the Task Force for Child Survival in 1984. Foege became Executive Director of The Carter Center in 1986 and continues to serve the organization as a Senior Fellow. He helped shape the global health work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and remains a champion of a wide array of issues, including child survival and development, injury prevention, and preventative medicine. Foege’s leadership has contributed significantly to increased awareness and action on global health issues, and his enthusiasm, energy, and effectiveness in these endeavors have inspired a generation of leaders in public health. John Glenn Glenn is a former United States Marine Corps pilot, astronaut, and United States Senator. In 1962, he was the third American in space and the first American to orbit the Earth. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Glenn was elected to the U.S. Senate in Ohio in 1974. He was an architect and sponsor of the 1978 Nonproliferation Act and served as Chairman of the Senate Government Affairs committee from 1987 until 1995. In 1998, Glenn became the oldest person to visit space at the age of 77. He retired from the Senate in 1999. Glenn is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Gordon Hirabayashi Hirabayashi openly defied the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, he refused the order to report for evacuation to an internment camp, instead turning himself in to the FBI to assert his belief that these practices were racially discriminatory. Consequently, he was convicted by a U.S. Federal District Court in Seattle of defying the exclusion order and violating curfew. Hirabayashi appealed his conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled against him in 1943. Following World War II and his time in prison, Hirabayashi obtained his doctoral degree in sociology and became a professor. In 1987, his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Hirabayashi died on January 2, 2012. Dolores Huerta Huerta is a civil rights, workers, and women’s advocate. With Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the National Farmworkers Association in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. Huerta has served as a community activist and a political organizer, and was influential in securing the passage of California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, and disability insurance for farmworkers in California. In 2002, she founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation, an organization dedicated to developing community organizers and national leaders. In 1998, President Clinton awarded her the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights. Jan Karski Karski served as an officer in the Polish Underground during World War II and carried among the first eye-witness accounts of the Holocaust to the world. He worked as a courier, entering the Warsaw ghetto and the Nazi Izbica transit camp, where he saw first-hand the atrocities occurring under Nazi occupation. Karski later traveled to London to meet with the Polish government-in-exile and with British government officials. He subsequently traveled to the United States and met with President Roosevelt. Karski published Story of a Secret State, earned a Ph.D at Georgetown University, and became a professor at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. Born in 1914, Karski became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and died in 2000. Juliette Gordon Low Born in 1860, Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912. The organization strives to teach girls self-reliance and resourcefulness. It also encourages girls to seek fulfillment in the professional world and to become active citizens in their communities. Since 1912, the Girl Scouts has grown into the largest educational organization for girls and has had over 50 million members. Low died in 1927. This year, the Girl Scouts celebrate their 100th Anniversary, calling 2012 “The Year of the Girl.” Toni Morrison One of our nation’s most celebrated novelists, Morrison is renowned for works such as Song of Solomon, Jazz, and Beloved, for which she won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988. When she became the first African American woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1993, Morrison’s citation captured her as an author “who in novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import, gives life to an essential aspect of American reality.” She created the Princeton Atelier at Princeton University to convene artists and students. Morrison continues to write today. Shimon Peres An ardent advocate for Israel's security and for peace, Shimon Peres was elected the ninth President of Israel in 2007. First elected to the Knesset in 1959, he has served in a variety of positions throughout the Israeli government, including in twelve Cabinets as Foreign Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Transport and Communications. Peres served as Prime Minister from 1984-1986 and 1995-1996. Along with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and then-PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, Peres won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work as Foreign Minister during the Middle East peace talks that led to the Oslo Accords. Through his life and work, he has strengthened the unbreakable bonds between Israel and the United States. John Paul Stevens Stevens served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1975 to 2010, when he retired as the third longest-serving Justice in the Court’s history. Known for his independent, pragmatic and rigorous approach to judging, Justice Stevens and his work have left a lasting imprint on the law in areas such as civil rights, the First Amendment, the death penalty, administrative law, and the separation of powers. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Gerald Ford, and previously served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Stevens is a veteran of World War II, in which he served as a naval intelligence officer and was awarded the Bronze Star. Pat Summitt In addition to accomplishing an outstanding career as the all-time winningest leader among all NCAA basketball coaches, Summitt has taken the University of Tennessee to more Final Four appearances than any other coach and has the second best record of NCAA Championships in basketball. She has received numerous awards, including being named Naismith Women’s Collegiate Coach of the Century. Off the court, she has been a spokesperson against Alzheimer's. The Pat Summitt Foundation will make grants to nonprofits to provide education and awareness, support to patients and families, and research to prevent, cure and ultimately eradicate early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type. Ref: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/26/president-obama-names-presidential-medal-freedom-recipients Jean-Paul

In the midst of 150 mph tornado winds last year in Alabama, an Air Force veteran died rushing to the aid of his youngest daughter. On Monday, his wife accepted the Airman’s Medal on his behalf. The ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., honored Sgt. Steven A. Hollon for using his body to protect his 9-year-old daughter, Faith, as their family home crashed down during the April 15 tornado that hit Prattville last year. Read the complete news article: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/airman-s-medal-for-dad-killed-saving-daughter-in-alabama-tornado-1.175768 Jean-Paul

Here is the latest on this topic: David Cameron has announced a new review of the rules on military decorations, a move that raised hopes of a change of heart on a specific honour for veterans of the Arctic supply mission to Russia. Campaigners for the recognition of Bomber Command veterans and those who served on several other unrecognised operations and campaigns will also be able to submit evidence to the review. The Prime Minister said has asked Sir John Holmes, a former British ambassador to Paris, to consider the “rules and principles governing the award of military campaign medals”. Significantly, the review will be able to consider previous campaigns and decisions, as well as the rules that should cover future campaigns. Sir John will not make recommendations on specific campaigns or honours, but the retrospective aspect of his remit has raised hopes that his conclusions could pave the way for a change on honouring the Arctic veterans Read the complete news story: http://www.telegraph...for-review.html Jean-Paul

Army Sgt. Joshua Laughery earned a Silver Star for his bravery in Afghanistan, but his biggest honor was getting all the members of his platoon home safely. He brushed off claims that he is a hero, although others would say differently. Four of the eight members in Laughery's platoon, including the sergeants in command, were wounded by enemy fire last September. Laughery was just a corporal at the time, but he said someone had to take leadership. He arranged the medevac for the wounded, coordinated the fight back against the ambush and faced insurgents at point blank range with another soldier. Read the complete article: http://www.wnem.com/story/18063496/soldier-honored-with-silver-star-for-saving-platoon Jean-Paul

Just came across this interesting news item: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree establishing two new state decorations, the Order of St Catherine and a merit badge “For Benefaction,” to be awarded to Russian and foreign nationals who have made an important contribution to peace building, charity and humanitarian activity. According to the decree published on the Kremlin website, the Order of St Catherine features a silver cross decorated with diamonds and an oval medallion in the middle carrying an icon of St Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian saint who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius. The decoration appears to be a reincarnation of the Order of St Catherine that existed in the Imperial Russia. The original order was established by Peter the Great in 1713 and first bestowed upon his wife Empress Catherine. It was considered an exclusively female award, and there is only one known case when it was bestowed upon a man. Medvedev awarded state decorations to about 50 Russians during a ceremony in the Kremlin. He said he had already signed a decree to award first St Catherine decorations to “several very decent women.” He would not specify who those women were. Read the complete article: http://en.ria.ru/society/20120503/173196017.html Jean-Paul

This medal is rarely awarded. Only 18 medals have been awarded since it's inception 61 years ago. It has been more than two years since Warrant Officer First Class Grant took action, and last week the member of the Air Cadet Squadron 861 Silverfox in Abbotsford was presented with the Cadet Medal of Bravery from the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. He received the honour for his “outstanding valour as an air cadet, involving the risk of his own life to save others and maintain their well-being.” The incident took place Oct. 10, 2009 in Fort Langley. Then only 16, Grant and his fellow cadets were helping with the local cranberry festival, unloading and loading trolley buses, which were parked on an incline and filled with people. The bus Grant was helping to load suddenly began to roll on its own, with no driver inside. “The brakes failed. I heard a snapping, odd sound and suddenly the bus was moving,” he said. Knowing there were passengers on board, Grant moved quickly. “I just hopped on the bus and looked down at the pedals.” At that time, he didn’t have a driver’s licence and didn’t know which pedal was which. He chose correctly and managed to bring the bus to a stop long enough for the driver to catch up and take over. When he looked up, all 35 people on the bus were just staring at him. Read the complete story: http://www.langleyti.../142468985.html Here is a link showing a picture of the medal, along with write-up on previous recipients: http://www.armycadet...alofBravery.htm Jean-Paul

Here is the latest news article on this topic. Also contains a large variety of opinions on the topic at the end of the story. The Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal has been set up by the Australian Government to ascertain whether certain individuals, who are said to have carried out exceptional acts of bravery during active service, but who remain unrecognised, should now receive that recognition in the form of a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC). The Victoria Cross of Australia was instituted in 1991 and is a direct descendent of the British Victoria Cross which used to be awarded to eligible Australians. Strong claims have been made over the years by concerned and well motivated individuals and organisations that a number of Australians who performed extraordinary acts of courage during wartime hostilities and whose acts went unrecognised or were insufficiently recognised, should now, after proper consideration and deliberation be awarded posthumous VC's. Read the complete article: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3888664.html Jean-Paul

Hi John, This is the "Medaille des Sapeurs-Pompiers" and was created 12 December, 1934. Comes in 3 classes - Bronze, Silver, Gold. Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9daille_d'honneur_des_Sapeurs_Pompiers Jean-Paul

Found this interesting news article: The highest honorary decoration of the Ministry of Defence, the First Class of the Cross of Merit, was given to General Mark A. Welsh, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and the former Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Dr. Liam Fox, for their contribution in achieving indefinite Baltic air-policing. The Third Class of the Cross of Merit was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Martin Herem, Head of the Northeast Defence District, for his long-term professional activity in supporting the national defence of the Republic of Estonia. The Third Class of the Cross of Merit was also awarded to Katri Raudsepp, Deputy Director of the Procurement Department at the Ministry of Defence, as recognition for her long-term contribution in developing the field of defence procurement. The Ministry of Defence Distinguished Service Decoration (gold, silver) was also awarded to several diplomats, local government figures, officials of the Ministry of Defence, Members of the Defence Forces, Members of the National Defence League, employees at the Defence Resources Office, as well as members of medical committees, and co-operation partners. The Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was instituted on 24 February 1999 as an order that is comprised of three classes. The first class of the order is awarded for special services in the defence of the Republic of Estonia or for development and consolidation of Estonia’s national defence structures. In 2004, the highest decoration of the Ministry of Defence was also bestowed on President Lennart Meri, Siim Kallas, Mart Laar, Jüri Luik, and Margus Kolga for their devoted contribution in the process of Estonia’s integration into NATO. In 2005, the first class of the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence was awarded to Brigadier General Märt Tiru, in 2007 to Jürgen Ligi, former Minister of Defence, in 2009 to Lieutenant General Johannes Kert, in 2010 to Martin Hurt, Undersecretary for Defence Investments at the time, and in 2011 to General Ants Laaneots and Commander Senior Grade Lauri Tumm, Undersecretary for Defence Planning at the time. This award was also bestowed posthumously on former Minister of Defence Ülo Uluots. Read the complete article: http://www.defpro.com/news/details/32703/?SID=80559744db997cb099ae2b64aa8cec41 Jean-Paul

A huge number of news articles have appeared lately as the Supreme Court hears arguments on this important issue. A decision is expected in a couple of months. Here is a link to one such news story: http://www.q13fox.com/news/la-na-court-lies-20120223,0,3711110.story Jean-Paul

Not too often we see a news story on the awarding of a Surinam Order: President Desi Bouterse bestowed the highest Surinamese decoration on Guyanese Ambassador Merlin Udho and her Brazilian counterpart José Luis Machado in appreciation for their service during their time in Suriname. Both Ambassadors are now bearer of the Grand Ribbon of the Order of the Yellow Star. The President dwelled on the positive contributions both Ambassadors have made. Udho has done an excellent job in helping to bring about the visits of both Presidents to each other’s counties, the cooperation for a joint approach to turn Suriname and Guyana into the food suppliers of the CARICOM, Guyana’s support in backing Suriname’s application to have a regional sports academy put up here. Crime fighting on the Corentyne River is also one the fields for which the Ambassador has been praised. Bouterse praised Machado as a true friend and expert; a man who truly loves Suriname and has done his utmost to intensify relations between the two countries. Bouterse mentioned Suriname’s participation in conferences including UNASUR in 2008, the Brazil-CARICOM meeting, the MERCOSUR 2010 Summit and Bouterse’s visit to the inauguration of Brazilian president Dilma Roussef in 2011. Brazil’s support in agriculture, maritime affairs, telecommunication, migration, defense and fighting drugs crime has been much appreciated. Read the complete article: http://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/news/breaking-news/02/21/highest-suriname-decoration-for-guyana-ambassador/ Jean-Paul