On Tuesday 18th December, an International Medal Parade for soldiers from 6 nations was held at Camp Butmir with COMEUFOR, Major General Martin Dorfer, presiding over the event.
Addressing the soldiers on parade, COMEUFOR said: “It as an honour to present these medals today, and such a pleasure to see soldiers from Chile in the West to Turkey in the East represented here”.
Lieutenant Colonel Sebastian Silva of the Chilean Army took the salute on behalf of the 51-strong parade from COMEUFOR at the ceremony.
Commenting on the chance to be the parade commander, Lt Col Silva said: “This is my first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina; it is such an honour to be chosen as the parade commander”.
One soldier with a double-celebration was Major Rory O’Reilly of the Irish Defence Force: he was awarded his Operation Althea medal just 2 weeks after being promoted.
When asked about the medal parade, Major O’Reilly said: “I’m delighted to receive my medal so soon after the great news about my promotion; I haven’t stopped smiling all day”.
