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.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening to you ConorMacNessa!

Hope you’re having a good week.

[ConorMacNessa]

Doing great, thanks. How are you doing tonite?

[SandRat]

MEDICAL CHECKUP - U.S. Army Sgt. Carrie Coble examines an Iraqi woman's medical records with the help of an interpreter during a medical civic action project in Hateen, Iraq, July 7, 2007. Coble is from Charlie Company, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephanie Longoria

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[laurenmarlowe]

Really well, thanks!

Just darned glad that tomorrow is Friday! WOO HOO!

[ConorMacNessa]

I’m looking forward to the weekend too.

[luvie]

Thank you for reminding us of all our “local” heroes and for lovingly posting the Hero Wall for us.

Thank God for every one of them.

[Kathy in Alaska]

From Xerox ~ Let's Say Thanks to our Troops

Simple. Easy. Involve your kids.
We can each send thanks every single day.

[laurenmarlowe]

We’ve been all week without rain here, but it’s back in the forecast for the weekend.

Will look forward to that, it got hot here this week.

My boss will be here in my office next week, so I am gonna enjoy the peace and quiet while I can, LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor. Hope the week has treated you well. Thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[ConorMacNessa]

A great website, KAthy - thanks for sharing it with us.

[ConorMacNessa]

We had rain Tuesday and yesterday here but the weekend is supposed to be beautiful.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac.....it is 5:34pm in Alaska now. How is your garden? Did you ever get to play in the dirt?

[ConorMacNessa]

Not yet - but it looks pretty good for Saturday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Cpl Apiata is indeed a true Kiwi hero....the first New Zealander to be awarded the Victoria Cross since 1943!

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

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Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[PAR35]

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.

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

[luvie]

A very brave man you’re showcasing tonight, Kathy.

Not all heroes are American and our Southern Hemisphere has some wonderful allies who have sacrificed right along beside our own heroes.

God bless them all.

[laurenmarlowe]

ENJOY!

[laurenmarlowe]

Evening LUV! *HUGS*

How are ya this evening?

Found out today that the kiddos may be moving back to this side of the metroplex sooner than they thought. Could be before the end of the year. WOO HOO!