My H4-2020 Christmas message
Merry Christmas, fellow Veterans!!
This is Tony, your SAMVOINT Chairman, bringing you Christmas greetings on behalf of the Executives of SAMVOINT and our member Entities around the world.
I hope this message reaches all of you, our 2,132 SAMVOINT Members and your families, no matter where you live in the 28 countries you have chosen to call home. May you all enjoy a Blessed and safe Christmas and a prosperous 2021.
2020 has not been a year without challenge. Despite this, the organisation has grown by 251 new members YTD, and we may well exceed 260by year-end.
This has really been a “Virtual” year.
The South African Border War lasted 23 years, 6 months and 2 days and we lost 2,573 with 791 killed in action to which we must add the19 SAMVOINT Members, we know of, who have subsequently passed to Higher Service. With our main focus on Remembrance, we have participated in all ceremonies by posting our individual contributions on Facebook. Thanks to all of you who participated.
To our four focus points, being Remembrance, Equality, Brotherhood and Reconciliation, we have added a 5th, being Respect, which we feel is very appropriate.
A great new initiative has been the monthly Zoom meetings, hosted by Veteran Joe Keyter, who has used his many contacts to provide us with excellent presentations, all experts from their personal experiences, where we have learnt so much about Operations we knew little about. Deservedly, Joe has been awarded the Time Zone 1 - SAMVOA Bugle for individual excellence. Congratulations Joe.
May 2021 be a much better year for us all and please don’t forget the true meaning of Christmas. Keep safe and enjoy.
Best Veteran regards,
Tony.
Chairman.
The South African Military Veterans Organisation International (SAMVOINT) is an ex-servicemen / women's organisation comprising Military and Police Veterans who were called up or who volunteered to serve their country, South Africa, in the SADF / SANDF, SAP / SAPS, or the South African Correctional Services, and who now reside in and outside of South Africa.
There can be no doubt that we proudly served in the best defence force that Africa has ever seen.
This Veteran Organisation dedicates itself, in grateful recognition and memory of their countrymen, the Immortal Dead of South Africa, who, at the call of Duty, made the supreme Sacrifice on the battlefields of Africa, Asia and Europe, on land, at sea and in the air.
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ENDURING VALOUR AWARDS
The Honoris Crux was awarded for bravery in dangerous circumstances.
Their are four classes of Honoris Crux:
- The Honoris Crux Diamond
- The Honoris Crux Gold
- The Honoris Crux Silver
- The Honoris Crux
Together these replace the Honoris Crux of 1952 and is regarded in the same light as the Victoria Cross
