President to Decorate 99 Persons on 23 February
Estonian ReviewEstonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves signed the decision to decorate 99 persons for services to Estonia. "Estonia thanks and recognises those who have shown professionalism, inventiveness, persistence and in many cases bravery," the president said in the opening words of his decision.
President Ilves will present the decorations in the Kadriorg Art Museum on 23 February.
By his decision, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves gave the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana First Class to the previous Secretary of State of the United States Hillary Clinton and to Hans-Gert Pöttering, former president of the European Parliament. Ilves recognised Hillary Clinton with the high decoration for her contribution for the development of cross-Atlantic co-operation and for supporting the policy corresponding to the modern security scene in NATO. Pöttering deserves his decoration for his long-term support for Estonian foreign policy aspirations.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves decided to bestow the Order of the Cross of the Eagle to five members of the Defence Forces who served in Afghanistan, of whom three were wounded during the mission.
The president gave the Order of the Cross of the Eagle with Swords to Sergeant Janno Jants, who has served in seven foreign missions and has repeatedly commanded his unit in battle. Sergeant Jants last served in Afghanistan as squad commander in the composition of Estcoy-14.
The president also gave Orders of the Cross of the Eagle with Swards to three members of the Defence Forces who were wounded in Afghanistan. The high awards will go to Jannok Lepik from Estocoy-13, and battle pioneers of the same unit Sergeant Madis Pori and Corporal Raigo Roots. Both Pori and Roots have discovered several improvised explosive devices.
The president also gave an Order of the Cross of the Eagle to medic Captain Elle Jürgenson, who served in the Estonian contingents Estcon 12 and Estcon 13 for two successive rotations.
Of people connected with sports the wrestler Heiki Nabi, his trainer, Henn Põlluste, and the footballer Konstantin Vassiljev will get decorations from the president. Heiki Nabi will get the Order of the White Star Second Class from the president, Henn Põlluste the Order of the White Star Third Class, and Konstantin Vassiljev the Order of the White Star Fourth Class. Heiki Nabi won the silver medal in wrestling at the London Olympic Games last summer.
Konstantin Vassiljev is one of the key players on the Estonian football team and goals made by him have brought several victories to the team.
The full list of recipients can be found here:
http://president.ee/en/media/p...