FReeper Canteen ~ Cpl Apiata, NZ, Awarded Victoria Cross

Serving The Best Troops In The World | Diehard the Hunter & The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

Corporal Bill Henry "Willy" Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972 in Mangakino, New Zealand) is a member of the Special Air Service of New Zealand and the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. He is also the first New Zealander to be awarded a Victoria Cross since 1943. He received the award on July 2, 2007 for bravery under fire during the Afghanistan conflict in 2004, after carrying a wounded compatriot across a battlefield to receive medical treatment.

Fanfare For The Common Man

God Defend New Zealand

Po Karekare Ana

How Bizarre

Temaeva Haka

Queen Victoria chose the design for the new decoration. It is in the form of a Maltese Cross ensigned with the Royal Crest and a scroll inscribed simply "For Valour". It is connected by a V-shaped link to a bar engraved on the face with the recipient's name. The date of the deed for which the honour is bestowed is engraved on the back of the Cross itself. It is worn on the left breast, before all other medals and awards, suspended from a 1½-inch wide red ribbon. Originally the VC ribbon was blue for the Navy, and dark red for the Army. Since 1918, all VC awards use the crimson shade. The medal itself was, and still is, made of bronze melted down from the Russian cannons captured at Sevastopol in the Crimean War.

The Haka

Pacific Colours

Kilikiti Dance

Tarakihi (The Locust)

Po Ata Rau

The Special Air Service of New Zealand (NZ SAS) was formed on July 7, 1955 as an elite New Zealand Army and highly-secretive unit capable of undertaking special missions. It was modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS).

The New Zealand Government states that NZ SAS is the "premier combat unit of the New Zealand Defence Force", is based in Auckland, and has the motto "who dares wins".

The elite unit is "capable of undertaking unconventional warfare". Its key roles are to undertake overseas missions and respond to domestic terrorist attacks.

The New Zealand SAS is held in high regard internationally - as demonstrated by the United States Presidential Citation awarded to the NZSAS on 7 December 2004.

Please remember that The Canteen is Family Friendly.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Narmy, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission as you train.

[Pusterfuss]

...a working Friday? The hometown team playing at home Saturday night?

Yes, no. I think the CEO has plans for me to dig some holes for some shrubbery this week-end.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"...dig some holes for some shrubbery..."

This would require watering.....have you had a drop of rain yet?

[Pusterfuss]

This would require watering.....have you had a drop of rain yet?

I think officially we are at average for July. I also think one little cloud flew over the weather monitoring station and dumped. We haven't seen as much, to be sure.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, LCpl Michael Carter, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Morning, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen.

[MEG33]

For All Who Serve Our Country

*Thank You For Keeping Us Safe*

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Can someone explain those two sentences to me so that it makes sense?

Sure, I’ll try...

The “Victoria Cross of New Zealand” arose as an award when our Queen’s Honors were re-vamped and redefined in (I think) 1999 by Helen Clark’s Labor Government. Many honors fell by the wayside: including Knighthoods.

It was felt important that New Zealand soldiers still be qualified to earn the “Victoria Cross”, the highest Commonwealth honor.

Hence, the “Victoria Cross of New Zealand”.

Canada has a similar situation: their “Victoria Cross” bears the inscription in Latin “Pro Valore” rather than “For Valor”. I believe the rationale at the time (it would have been late 80’s-early 90’s) wat that the English inscription wasn’t inclusive enough for an officially bilingual and multi-cultural Society.

No matter, all “Victoria Cross” medals are equal in the Commonwealth.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Second-Lieutenant Charles Hazlitt Upham; 20th Battalion, 2nd NZEF. V.C. –22–30 May 1941; Maleme, Galatos, and Sphakia, Crete; 14 October 1941. Bar – As a captain; 14 July 1942; Ruweisat Ridge, Western Desert; 26 September 1945.

The ONLY combat soldier to ever be awarded the Victoria Cross TWICE. A remarkably brave man amongst brave men.

[MEG33]

Thank you for the thread about the NZ Hero,Cpl Apiata,Kathy...
It's 76 degrees here at the moment..should get into the 90s later. There will be Hot Air Balloon races this weekend in Waco..Wondering where I can get a good vantage point.
;o)

[GodBlessUSA]

Terrific thread Ma! :)
God Bless Corporal Bill Henry "Willy" Apiata.

[Arrowhead1952]

Sorry. I forgot to add the names on the reply to Kathy.

[Arrowhead1952]

Morning Meg. Looks like another warm day for us and then more rain for the next week or so.

[StarCMC]

Well. I just feel so forgotten. *G*

*HUG*

[StarCMC]

WOW! Excellent thread! Thanks Ma and DHtH!

[Arrowhead1952]

I feel like I’m still asleep. I slept so hard last night.

[Arrowhead1952]

I feel like I’m still asleep. I slept so hard last night.

[Arrowhead1952]

I feel like I’m still asleep. I slept so hard last night.