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  1. #1
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    Thai Pom's Avatar
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    New UK Queen's award for Forces Dead

    New medal announced

    The Elizabeth Medal

    BBC NEWS | UK | New Queen's award for forces dead.

    New Queen's award for forces dead


    The Queen has approved a new honour in her name for members of the armed forces who are killed in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.

    The Elizabeth Cross will be awarded to the families of those killed.
    In a personal message to service personnel, the Queen said the emblem was "a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt".
    It will be available to the relatives of all those killed in conflicts since the end of World War II.
    The emblem will be made of sterling silver in the shape of a cross and a wreath, and will feature the rose, thistle, shamrock and daffodil to represent soldiers from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
    It will be awarded along with a Memorial Scroll signed by the Queen and bearing the name of the individual killed.

    'Enduring loss'

    Gordon Brown announced the new award during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday.
    He said: "I am confident that this will be a very special and fitting tribute indeed for the great debt we owe to all those who die on operations and the enduring loss shouldered by their families."
    The Queen explained her motivation for instituting the award in a special radio message on the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

    "This seems to me a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively protecting what is most dear to us all," she said.
    "The solemn dignity which we attach to the names of those who have fallen is deeply engrained in our national character.
    "As a people, we accord this ultimate sacrifice the highest honour and respect."

    The Ministry of Defence estimates that about 8,000 families could be eligible for the award.
    It says it will contact the families of those who have died since 2000 about receiving it, but relatives of those killed before that date will be required to apply themselves.
    They will then be able to decide whether they wish to receive the award publicly or in private.

    'Immense pride'

    It is the first time the name of a reigning monarch has been given to a new award since 1940.

    Then King George VI introduced the George Cross, the highest honour for civilian acts of bravery.

    Before this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for exceptional gallantry by members of the armed forces.
    The chief of the defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said relatives would wear the Elizabeth Cross with "immense pride".
    He said: "It is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid while safeguarding our security and freedom, it is also a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice."
    The Cross will be available to all those killed since 1948 in conflicts including the Falklands War and Northern Ireland Troubles.
    Personnel who died in Palestine between September 1945 and the end of 1947 will also be eligible.
    It will apply to regular and reserve personnel and will cover those who died in battle and later as a result of injuries received in the field.

    Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "The Elizabeth Cross was recommended by the military chiefs to Her Majesty to recognise the huge debt this country owes to the families those brave individuals have left behind."

    "It is a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice"

    Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup

  2. #2

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Queen
    "This seems to me a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively protecting what is most dear to us all," she said.
    Iraq is dear to us?

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    Iraq is dear to us?
    "Dear" as in expensive YES!!

    May they all Rest In Peace

  4. #4
    សុខសប្បាយ
    EmperorTud's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Pom
    Jock Stirrup
    Huh?

  5. #5
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    I am sure they would rather be alive and have decent equipment to protect them than dead with a shiny medal. I guess it's the thought that counts though.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    And they dies for what exactly!

  7. #7
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    Doing their job / duty, no more no less. Military types are not political animals they just do their job.

  8. #8
    I am in Jail

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    It's kinda nice. Can't replace the soldier tho.


    © REUTERS2009

    I'm still waiting for one of my fam to give up the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster that my coz got and Granma promised to me. Our family tradition is to give each kid one heirloom when they reach a certain age. Sure, I coulda got the pearls, the silver, the ruby/pearl ring, etc, but all I wanted was this. Fek, I was the only one to visit his grave in Anzio-Nettuno. Ma didn't have it and the rellies wouldn't give it.


  9. #9
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    Without wishing to diminish it or its recipients in any way I must say the the Purple Heart (the first time I've ever seen it) is not the most masculine looking medal I've ever seen. "Camp as a row of tents" is one phrase that springs to mind.

  10. #10
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    Yep, those military crosses are much more masculine and macho. (I killed people!) Pretty funny that socialist Euro and the UK have those, while the big bad American machine has a heart.

  11. #11
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    ^You realy are a fool, the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army is The Distinguished Service Cross.

  12. #12
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    How lovely. The celebratory and romance of war.

  13. #13
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    They'll start to appear on Ebay within a month.

  14. #14
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    ^Probably being manufactured in China now.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by English Noodles View Post
    ^Probably being manufactured in China now.
    You should see the crap quality of the Saudi desert storm medals

  16. #16
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    You get a medal for being killed in war? I thought medals were for difficult things. Not sure I'd like to be honored by Sir Jock Strap after death, somehow seems, well, undignified.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by lysander View Post
    Without wishing to diminish it or its recipients in any way I must say the the Purple Heart (the first time I've ever seen it) is not the most masculine looking medal I've ever seen. "Camp as a row of tents" is one phrase that springs to mind.
    Isn't that the one you get for shooting your own balls off while polishing your gun Why do soldiers get medals for being wounded, isn't that what their salary is for?

  18. #18
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    Somewhat unrelated, but a nice little story.

    Link

    Nine-year-old jack russell terrier George is being honoured with a posthumous bravery medal for saving five New Zealand children from an attack by two pit bulls.

    The medal from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) comes after US Vietnam veteran Jerrell Hudman said he was sending his Purple Heart medal to George's owner after hearing of the dog's bravery.

    George, who had a heart problem, won fame after defending five children from the pitbulls in the small North Island town of Manaia a week and a half ago.

    The two pitbulls rushed at the five children on the street, prompting George to charge the much larger dogs as the children escaped.

    The pitbulls badly mauled the jack russell. He had to be put down later because of his extensive injuries.

    The two pitbulls were also put down.

    The SPCA medal is usually awarded to people for their bravery in defending animals.

    "George was a very brave little dog who almost certainly prevented severe injury, if not death, to at least one of the children," SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger said.

    "It's truly tragic that he paid with his own life for his instinctive act of courage."

    Mr Hudman, 58, of Austin, Texas was a US Marine for 30 years and said he decided to send his Purple Heart to George's owner, Alan Gay, after reading the news on the Internet because the dog was "a little warrior".

    Brave dog.

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