On 2 February 2012, Colonel Niels H. Andersen, a Danish officer serving at Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE), has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog, a prestigious and unique distinction by Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark.
There are special days in the calendar of the Danish Armed Forces referring to some historical events of high importance when Danish soldiers can expect to receive various decorations. But today’s Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog handed over to Colonel Niels H. Andersen by Colonel Søren B. Bojesen, the Senior Danish Officer at HQ MNC NE, was a complete, but for sure very pleasant, surprise to him. “It is a great honour for me,” said Colonel Andersen and explained that he would also have an opportunity to thank Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark or other member of the Danish Royal Family for the distinction during an audience.
The Order of the Dannebrog is awarded among others to officers for their meritorious service and it is definitely something exceptional; there are only several hundred Orders of this class in total. The Orders are given for the rest of one’s life and shall be 
returned afterwards. For that reason, Colonel Andersen said with a broad smile about his hope to have the Order for at least fifty years. He was not aware of the fact though that the whole Headquarters wishes him to keep it for one hundred and fifty years or even longer!
Colonel Niels H. Andersen is the Chief of G5 Staff Division at Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast. He has been serving in Szczecin for three years.
Photos by Marian Cihon, SVK CIV
