I'm impressed by a new award instituted in Britain, the Elizabeth Cross, a decoration for the families of those killed in action or on active service. It recognizes the price paid by these families, who gave up their loved one to serve the Crown and country. Today, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented six Elizabeth Crosses to the surviving relatives of deceased servicemen.
The Elizabeth Cross is made of hallmarked silver carrying the rose of England, the Scottish thistle, the Northern Irish shamrock, and the Welsh daffodil. The centre bears the crowned cipher of Queen Elizabeth II. The cross is backed by a representation of a laurel wreath.
The Cross is presented in a full-size and miniature version, both being awarded together in a presentation box. Recipients (usually the officially designated next-of-kin of the deceased) may wear either of them at their discretion.
I think this is a great idea! It at least officially acknowledges the sacrifice and sorrow of those who lose loved ones in armed service. I don't think the US has anything similar. Perhaps it's time we started asking the Department of Defense to consider it?
Peter
4 comments:
Her Majesty has class.
I wonder if Her Majesty will have a separate version for her subjects in Canada and other Commonwealth countries?
(Many are not aware of the fact that she is not automatically Queen of those countries by virtue of her reign in the UK. My mother was English, and was a subject of the Queen of England. I have dual US/Canadian citizenship, and am subject to her Majesty in Right of Canada.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Canada
We used to have a gold star on a purple background. I have the one they gave my mom for her brother:
PFC C. S. Bryant
1st Mar Div
KIA, May 1968, RVN
Panel 61E - Line 24
She wore it every time she went out.
It also seems to reflect the change in casualty levels in modern warfare, and far greater value placed by our society (at least in theory) on individual human life. It is hard to imagine an award of this kind handed out during either of the World Wars.
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