// Timor Leste
-President Ramos-Horta Honours our Services
Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal
On 16 February His Excellency the President of Timor Leste Jose Ramos-Horta presented five New Zealand Defence Force personnel and one Police person with the Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal) in recognition of New Zealand’s peacekeeping response to the outbreak of violence in Timor-Leste in April and May 2006.
The ceremony, held at Premier House in Wellington, was preceded with a State Welcome ceremony featuring a powhiri and wero (challenge) by members of the Maori Cultural Group, 100-person Guard of Honour, and music provided by the NZ Army Band. As part of the welcome members of the NZ Army’s 16th Field Regiment fired a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham.
President Horta addressed the guests and spoke of how his Government had not had the chance before now to develop a legal framework to honour those who have served in his country. He said the medals went some way to recognise the contribution made by Defence and Police personnel to his country. He also said that a posthumous medal would be awarded to PTE Leonard Manning who was killed while on patrol in East Timor.
The Associate Minister of Defence Heather Roy said, ‘Today’s medal ceremony marks another milestone in the journey to freedom by Timor-Leste. In the past New Zealanders’ service has been acknowledged with medals from the United Nations, Australian and New Zealand Governments.
‘It is a significant and welcome development for Timor-Leste to be in a position to recognise the service of others. It is an important thread in the fabric of our relationship.’
She said that ‘the new medal from the Government of Timor-Leste is fitting recognition of the dedicated work undertaken by New Zealanders in Timor-Leste since 2006.”
A further 700 New Zealand Defence Force personnel and more than 100 New Zealand Police will also receive the medal at separate ceremonies in Timor-Leste and around New Zealand over coming months. The next ceremony in New Zealand is expected to be in June or July this year.
Following the medal presentation President Horta spoke individually to the medal recipients and their families.
The ribbon for the new medal incorporates the national colours of Timor-Leste in a pattern of red, black, white and yellow stripes.
Recipients at the ceremony were as follows:
- CDR Lance Cook, Royal New Zealand Navy
- MAJ Julie Richardson, New Zealand Intelligence Corps
- SGT Gary Clark, Royal New Zealand Air Force
- CPL Jamie Reid, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment
- CPL Lauren Dwyer, Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps
- Superintendent Tony McLeod, New Zealand Police