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.

[MEG33]

Good Morning,EGC. Glad there was no computer damage.

[Arrowhead1952]

I just got bit by a mosquito in my office at work. That one is dead, but the little buggers are everywhere!

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks Meg!
HUGS!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning E.G.C. :)
Wow, you sure were hit hard with those storms. Wishing you good weather for the weekend!
HUGS!

[MoochPooch]

Congrats! What an achievement.

Gut Shabbes.

[MEG33]

I got the jungle tamed out back..I did the front hedges, bushes and beds in increments this week..

Those frustratd mosquitos were trying to get close..but buzzed off..I have the yard tamed enough to relax for awhile Woo Hoo!

Now if I could just get the screen off the small kitchen window..I’d wash that window and be through with that job for awhile,too! The rest are all done.

[Arrowhead1952]

Most of those screens come off by using a small screwdriver and prying them up or to one side. There are springs that hold them in place. I’ve washed windows through the screen before with a spray nozzle.

[MEG33]

I am going to go try again right now.I think it needs pushing up from the bottem..

[MEG33]

It worked! Window is washed inside and out..I had forgotten how and you gave me confidence to use the scredriver on the screen..Thank you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congrats! What an achievement.

The first New Zealander since 1943....military men and women...doing what must be done for their mates.

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a great field trip! First some history and animals and then the clydesdales! Have fun!!!

[Arrowhead1952]

You are welcome. I always take the screens off with a screwdriver or putty knife.

[acad1228]

Tunes for the Troops!!!

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker - Rockin' Chair
Click here to purchase music by John Lee Hooker

2 Bobs & A Babe - Serve It Up
Click here to purchase music by 2 Bobs & A Babe

Candye Kane - The Blues I Feel For You
Click here to purchase music by Candye Kane

Jack Ranger - Thieving Blues
Click here to purchase music by Jack Ranger

Jeff Healey Band - See The Light
Click here to purchase music by The Jeff Healey Band

ArtistDirect.com l Amazon.com l Ticketmaster.com l Songfacts.com l Walmart.com> l CD Connection.com Support the artists you hear in the Canteen (buy their music)!

[MEG33]

It’s been a long time since I removed that screen..LOL.

[blackie]

Thanks kathy!

{{HUGS}}

[DieHard the Hunter]

> WOW! Excellent thread! Thanks Ma and DHtH!

Cheers for that! Kathy did an amazing job of building this thread, ay! Thanks, Kathy!

[DieHard the Hunter]

> If you can find it, read “Mark of the Lion”. It is about Charlie Upham, winner of the VC with bar. Excellent book.

If you can’t find it, let me know: it’s fairly easily found here in NZ. Whitcoulls (our local book chain) would surely have it. An excellent, entertaining read.

I brought my copy to read on the long flite from NZ to Honolulu last September, where I attended the Guardian Angels world conference.

On the way to the airport for my flite home, I shared a shuttle bus with an American soldier, returning to Iraq after his leave. I thanked him for his service, and told him I’d send him an e-mail from time-to-time. Having nothing else to write on, he wrote his e-mail address on the back flyleaf of my copy of “Mark of the Lion”.

And, in due course, we exchanged correspondence.

So my copy of “Mark of the Lion” is rather special to me: it was signed by an American hero during a shootin’ war to which he was returning to fight.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Robert, for your service to America.
Prayers for your safety and success of mission.

Thanks also to Jeremy and Daynnis.
Prayers for your safety and success as well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, retired curmudgeon...((HUGS))...I've been slaving ALL day. The office is having a picnic, in the rain, with food and games, while payroll is still cleaning up check issues. I haven't had time to breathe today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

wh!!

Arrowhead.....#200!!