DEU 1As Instead of DEU 1-Buttons - Receiving the GCS
Captain Tim Abbott, Battle Captain, TF 3-09 Battle Group Recce Sqn
Captain Tim Abbott, Battle Captain, TF 3-09 Battle Group Recce Sqn
What is the first question you ask when you are told that there will be a parade with full DEUs? “Medals or ribbons?” It never mattered to me what the answer was - my response was always, “buttons.” On the next parade that I participate in, I can finally say that I will actually be wearing DEU 1As!
Five months into tour (out of the seven), I was surprised when they told us that the Acting Task Force Kandahar Comd, Col Simon Hetherington, would be coming out to present us our General Campaign Stars (GCS). The medals themselves were sent ahead of time on a helicopter and the Mat Techs at the Dand District Centre created a couple of impressive trays out of wood, army cargo straps and Arid Cadpat cam nets.
The weather on the day of the parade was a blistering 32°C but everyone was still excited to receive their GCS. Once everyone was called to “fall in,” the TFK Command Team, as well as the Battle Group Command Team (LCol Walsh and CWO Stevens) walked through the ranks, said a few words to each soldier and handed them a medal that they could wear proudly for the rest of their careers.
Five months into tour (out of the seven), I was surprised when they told us that the Acting Task Force Kandahar Comd, Col Simon Hetherington, would be coming out to present us our General Campaign Stars (GCS). The medals themselves were sent ahead of time on a helicopter and the Mat Techs at the Dand District Centre created a couple of impressive trays out of wood, army cargo straps and Arid Cadpat cam nets.
The weather on the day of the parade was a blistering 32°C but everyone was still excited to receive their GCS. Once everyone was called to “fall in,” the TFK Command Team, as well as the Battle Group Command Team (LCol Walsh and CWO Stevens) walked through the ranks, said a few words to each soldier and handed them a medal that they could wear proudly for the rest of their careers.
Sgt Zoltan Resal, on his second tour to Afghanistan,
helped hand-out the medals.
helped hand-out the medals.
I am merely one of many that were excited to receive my first medal from an operational tour. As Col Hetherington noted - everyone has played their part on this Roto and has earned the privilege of wearing this medal!
Tpr Corey Pembleton receives his GCS from Col Hetherington
Cpl Nathan Kehler gladly takes his GCS from the Acting TFK Comd
MCpl Fraser Watt is on his third tour to Afghanistan. He will receive two bars for his GCS in recognition
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