Not every overseas unit gets a visit from the President and the Minister. The protocol call is a Captain's Guard of Honour, that is what DFRs say.
I'd say that getting a visit from our President is a bit of a morale boost.
There is a Ministerial Review of any unit prior to departure of Chalk 1 on any tour, on a number of occasions it has been done through various towns around the country.
AFAIK the medal parade is normally held in the mission area, it is usually presented by the SIO or the FC (or someone in their chain of command).
The point is that not all members of the unit will get the medals, only those on their first UNIFIL tour or first ever tour. Those on a second or subsequent tour get a number to put on the medal, this may be only done at home (not sure).
AFAIK there is usually no home coming parade as the unit will come back over 1/2 weeks probably in 3 chalks. After the admin they will be on leave and getting back to what is important for the next while - family and friends!
As others have said there will be normally press (and definitely DF photos) on any medal award.
If memory serves the first medal parade held at home in public was the ARW coming back from East Timor in Michael Smith's neck of the woods.
I'd say that getting a visit from our President is a bit of a morale boost.
There is a Ministerial Review of any unit prior to departure of Chalk 1 on any tour, on a number of occasions it has been done through various towns around the country.
AFAIK the medal parade is normally held in the mission area, it is usually presented by the SIO or the FC (or someone in their chain of command).
The point is that not all members of the unit will get the medals, only those on their first UNIFIL tour or first ever tour. Those on a second or subsequent tour get a number to put on the medal, this may be only done at home (not sure).
AFAIK there is usually no home coming parade as the unit will come back over 1/2 weeks probably in 3 chalks. After the admin they will be on leave and getting back to what is important for the next while - family and friends!
As others have said there will be normally press (and definitely DF photos) on any medal award.
If memory serves the first medal parade held at home in public was the ARW coming back from East Timor in Michael Smith's neck of the woods.
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