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'Heroes' wait for royal nod
18 December 2004
The United States calls them heroes in the war on terrorism, but elite soldiers in New Zealand's Special Air Service unit cannot show off their presidential award till the Queen says so.
SAS commander Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kelly was presented with the Presidential Unit Citation last week for the SAS' involvement in the war in Afghanistan from October 2001 to March 2002.
It is believed SAS members will wear a shoulder patch, but need royal consent.
The Government has confirmed the award. However, Green MP Keith Locke said yesterday it seemed embarrassed by the award. The blanket of secrecy over everything the SAS did was bad enough but it was "laughable when they hide the fact that George Bush has given our special forces an award", Mr Locke said.
The citation is for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy in extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
18 December 2004
The United States calls them heroes in the war on terrorism, but elite soldiers in New Zealand's Special Air Service unit cannot show off their presidential award till the Queen says so.
SAS commander Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kelly was presented with the Presidential Unit Citation last week for the SAS' involvement in the war in Afghanistan from October 2001 to March 2002.
It is believed SAS members will wear a shoulder patch, but need royal consent.
The Government has confirmed the award. However, Green MP Keith Locke said yesterday it seemed embarrassed by the award. The blanket of secrecy over everything the SAS did was bad enough but it was "laughable when they hide the fact that George Bush has given our special forces an award", Mr Locke said.
The citation is for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy in extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
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