| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
Bravery under fire New Zealand's Corporal Willy Apiata has been conferred with the Victoria Cross in a ceremony this morning at Government House in Wellington. Governor-General Anand Satyanand pinned the award on Cpl Apiata in a ceremony attended by his family, army colleagues and Prime Minister Helen Clark. "You have rendered distinguished service to our country, New Zealand, to the Commonwealth and to the Queen." After the investiture Mr Satyanand said New Zealand could only express pride in his "extraordinary display of heroism". "This award not only reflects the dedication skill and professionalism of the New Zealand SAS, but also your own special courage and character." Cpl Apiata, from the eastern Bay of Plenty town of Te Kaha, earned his award by rescuing an injured fellow soldier under enemy fire while both were serving with the Special Air Service (SAS) in Afghanistan in 2004. His citation read: "In total disregard of his own safety, Lance Corporal Apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. "He then carried him across the 70 metres of broken, rocky and fire swept ground, fully exposed in the glare of battle to heavy enemy fire and into the face of returning fire from his main troop position. "Having delivered his wounded companion to relative shelter with the remainder of the patrol, Lance Corporal Apiata re-armed himself and rejoined the fight in counter-attack." Cpl Apiata is one of only 13 living recipients of the Victoria Cross. He is the first to be conferred with the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, instituted in 1999. It continues the tradition of the Victoria Cross previously awarded under a British Royal Warrant. Cpl Apiata shook hands and engaged in a hongi with the Governor-General, before standing solemnly for photographers. "I feel very honoured and proud to wear this for my country," said Corporal Apiata. The Dominion Post | ||
| M1combat |
Good job. | ||
| Crusty |
That's Courage. He deserves it. | ||
| Glitch |
The Victoria Cross, wow! Well deserved too. Now that's a hero! | ||
| Ragnagwar |
"Corporal Apiata" I salute you! | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Brave actions indeed, he honors his country. | ||
| Blake |
Thanks for posting that Danger Man. A real hero displaying the courage and honor that makes us all better for just hearing about it. | ||
| Bomber |
the SAS has a long history of courageous personnel and actions - Cpl Apiata stands in very good company, indeed Really glad the VC stood for the Victoria Cross -- thought Badweb had entered a time-warp for a moment Thanks for the post, sir -- good news is always good! | ||
| Road_thing |
What's a "hongi?" rt ps--Well done, WillY! | ||
| Bomber |
there are some things it is better NOT to know -- I believe a hongi is a southern hemisphere tradition that involves okra, 50-weight, and a speedo | ||
| Road_thing |
Hongi From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search A Hongi is a traditional greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one's nose to another person at an encounter. It is still used at traditional meetings among members of the Māori people and on major ceremonies (every New Zealander). In the hongi (traditional greeting), the ha or breath of life is exchanged and intermingled. Through the exchange of this physical greeting, you are no longer considered manuhiri (visitor) but rather tangata whenua, one of the people of the land. For the remainder of your stay you are obliged to share in all the duties and responsibilities of the home people. In earlier times, this may have meant bearing arms in times of war, or tending crops of kumara (okra). When Māori greet one another by pressing noses, the tradition of sharing the breath of life is considered to have come directly from the gods. In Māori folklore, woman was created by the gods moulding her shape out of the earth. The god Tane (meaning male) embraced the figure and breathed into her nostrils. She then sneezed and came to life. Her name was Hineahuone (earth formed woman). The Nga Puhi tribe view the hongi as a very sacred act and an integral part of the Pōwhiri. The Waitangi National Trust estate also follows this traditional custom. No mention of Speedo or 50W, though... Amazing, the stuff I learn here! rt | ||
| Danger_dave |
Hongi: Never done it. But I'm not a Kiwi. If a firm handshake doesn't cut it - I don't want to know. |
