Military awards

[victor tango]

Last nights TV programme was inspiring and left me in awe of the deeds done under combat by our service men and women.
Also the wives and children left to carry on whilst Daddys away!

The bit that really made me want to throw a brick at the screen was amongst a hall full of people dressed in bow ties and evening dresses from the Prince of Wales down through immaculately turned out service personnel, we got to the stage of a "celeb" assisting in presenting an award (why) He was dressed in a jacket with a polo shirt under it! No sense of occasion? Who do these people think they are.
Wouldnt it be better to get retired officers or randomly picked parents or Chelsea Pensioners? Any thing but that tat!!!!

[Wander00]

VT - in this house we are still fuming on that issue - and the Daily Wail's headline (on-line at least) all about Katherine Jenkins's décolletage, not what the event was about!

[MPN11]

As another 70-yo ;) glad to join the rant!

I cannot comprehend the latitude given to 'celebs' to self-publicise, whilst the Media COMPLETLY ignore the context of the occasion (NOT event).

[Shack37]

Really glad I´m not alone in this, what an enourmous jab with a needle that man is!!!

I confess to admiring the lovely KJ form too but mostly due to being unable to enjoy her performance, even with hearing aids in place.

All in all an enjoyable evening´s viewing.

Seems to be a few 70 y/o here today.

[Wander00]

Here is the address


[email protected]


and my e-mail, but not holding my breath for a reply!


Dear Mr Cowell

The Sun Military awards was a moving and significant occasion. However, for most military personnel at least, and perhaps by many others, was marred only in one aspect. Everyone at the event, and particularly those presenting awards , were in "black tie", except you. Your decison not to comply with the dress code, and indeed to appear dressed in a tee shirt for the occasion, was seen by many as arrogant and insulting to those whose commitment and courage was being marked. I for one was most dissappointed by this overt lack of respect.

Yours sincerely

IAN GAWN

[Tankertrashnav]

I've never watched this event before but was pleasantly surprised. I thought most of the celebs came over as sincere in their admiration of those to whom they were presenting the awards, especially the very smartly turned out David Beckham and Damian Lewis (Sir Jock Slater seemed genuinely pleased to see Beckham!). Yes agreed about Simon Cowell, but what do you expect - as Shack more elegantly put it, the man is a d**k!

Also spotted a new (ish) medal which I had heard of but not seen before, the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal worn by Michelle Ping.

Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Volunteer_Reserves_Medal)

[BEagle]

Well, my late sister-in-law and her family came across Simon Cowell when shopping in Hamleys one pre-Christmas a few years ago. He couldn't have been a warmer, pleasanter or more genuine chap and was happy to chat and have his photo taken with one of the youngsters.

So I cannot agree that he is a 'd**k'. But yes, if indeed there was a strict dress code then he should have observed it accordingly - although personally I didn't think that his dark suit and dark collarless shirt were particularly offensive.

Anyway, the night was about the bravery of Armed Forces personnel, rather than the sartorial standards of the presenters.

[Wander00]

One of the directors of one of his companies stayed in our gite this summer - said he is a "pussycat" - but on Thursday, IMHO, he was way out of order - to him his "trademark" tee shirt was more important than the occasion. Pity really.

[Union Jack]

Well, before the outrage bus picks up too much speed, and having unfortunately not seen the programme, nor indeed the dress code concerned, I would quietly put forward the thought that Mr Cowell was wearing what he and, many other people, undoubtedly regard as his dress "uniform".

Incidentally, and noting TTN's mention of Jock Slater, I seem to recall him wearing black suede shoes with his initials on the toecaps, together with a cashmere woolly pully, whilst in his "uniform"!:ok:

Jack

[Tankertrashnav]

In deference to beagle's more personal experience of said man, I'll amend my previous comment to "he comes across as a d**k"!

Love the story about Jock Slater :ok:

[John Nichol]

Always good to see the professional "outraged" brigade is still posting here.

I was one who was there and can honestly say that not one single person (military or civilian) commented on Simon's dress. What they did comment on, was the fact that he (and all the other celebs including David Beckham) spent an inordinate amount of time before and after the event (when the boys and girls really had some serious speed on!) chatting and having photos taken. They genuinely seemed to enjoy the experience of mingling with the troops.

Whilst I do not know him personally, I have met Mr C on a few occasions at events like the Millies and Pride Of Britain and can only say that he is charm personified - always happy to chat and to hang around.

In this season of goodwill to all men, it really would by nice (a miracle) if some contributors here tried to be a little more pleasant instead of always looking for the negative in everything. It truly must be a terrible way of living.

If I had the slightest idea how to do it, I'd insert a pic from that night of my chum Simon Weston (who really did enjoy himself!) and the other Simon in a very nice suit and top.

http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ln/20141210/the_sun_military_awards_101214_01/simon-weston-the-sun-military-awards-2014_4502433.jpg

[Lima Juliet]

@JN

http://www.lesleybeagley.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Vmeldrew.jpg

[BEagle]

Hi JN - good to see you back on PPRuNe!

As Jeremy Clarkson put it, when asked by an interviewer about the ceremony: "Why is it so important? Because they have been doing some extraordinary things in Iraq and Afghanistan and it's an opportunity for people to come along and say 'thanks very much' and have a few beers".

Here's a gallery of 'celeb' photos at the Millies: Photos: The Sun Military Awards 2014 | Contactmusic.com (http://www.contactmusic.com/photo-archive/the_sun_military_awards_2014_101214_10x12x14) which includes photos of both Simon Weston and Simon Cowell.

[1.3VStall]

I missed the show - can anyone post a link so that I can see Katherine Jenkins' decolletage?.

(Thread creep I know, but she is absolutely gorgeous!).

[BEagle]

1.3VStall. see Katherine Jenkins wears VERYlow-cut dress at The Sun Military Awards | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2869177/Katherine-Jenkins-grabs-attention-EXTREMELY-low-cut-pink-dress-Night-Heroes-military-awards.html)

:ok:

[MightyGem]

so that I can see Katherine Jenkins' decolletage?.
Amanda Holden was quite revealing as well. I was a bit concerned for Illustrious's first Captain when he went up there. :E

[Wander00]

I thought it was brilliant to see Simon Weston there, a man of huge courage, and a great example to us all. All in all a great occasion which goes some way to show appreciation of all service people, their dependents and supporters. I thought the marking of the pain felt by their children, and the particularly the work done to support them, especially moving

[MPN11]

I missed the show - can anyone post a link so that I can see Katherine Jenkins' decolletage?.

Doesn't stop her being Welsh, though ;)

[OKOC]

Did Katherine used to be a bloke cos I'm sure I've seen her before in Boogie Street in Singapore when I was a bit younger! :ooh:

[Wander00]

Now, Amanda Holden, hmm, could supplant memory of a certain actress...............

[Haraka]

Wander00 .

Please don't encourage him........ it is Christmas after all.

[Wander00]

H - don't worry, I am off out for a couple of hours to exercise my French with one of Mrs W's french friends and her husband. What with thiey are veggies, and limited command of English, and my French not that good, could make the subject for an interesting cartoon................

[OKOC]

Mr W,

I heard that the French lady does like nibbling on some nice sprouts avec a certain je ne sais pas :ok:

[OKOC]

And, For all you Amanda fans: http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Amanda+Holden+G25gZbWLoV5m.jpg

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

Personally I thought Katherine left to much to the imagination !

Aaron.

[victor tango]

Ok, I hear what people are responding with on this thread.

I make no apologies for the fact that I was brought up in a different time.
If I had the honour of an invite to an important occasion such as this I would do all possible to dress appropriately.
If todays standards are that it is acceptable to appear in casual wear (disregarding that he,s a nice chap etc) In my eyes still demeans or shows lack of respect for the occasion.

I wonder if the invitation mentioned dress code?? (in case people needed guidance)

[Hangarshuffle]

I watched a bit of it and didn't like the show at all, and put it off. TV people are generally very false and phoney, because that's the world they inhabit.
If military personnel seek plaudits and lime-light then go elsewhere to find it.
Stick to the simple military awards system and keep it in-house.

[jindabyne]

victor tango,

I concur, in gentle terms.

Others here are a tad sanctimonious in expressing their disagreement, vis ---

Always good to see the professional "outraged" brigade is still posting here.

In this season of goodwill to all men, it really would by nice (a miracle) if some contributors here tried to be a little more pleasant instead of always looking for the negative in everything. It truly must be a terrible way of living.



I hold a view, possibly regarded as old-fashioned by some, and that's OK; I'm not banging a drum though, and I'm neither outraged nor living in a terrible way, JN

Just read hangar's comment, with which I also concur; but I guess if it contributes to H4H etc, then I'd have to demur.

[Old-Duffer]

Gordon Brown - this nation's finest (sic) PM for a generation - turned up at the first Lord Mayor's banquet in a lounge suit, when the dress code specifically said white tie. To do so shows complete disregard for one's host and a lack of common courtesy. The current Mrs O-D took me to meet Princess D at her (Princess D that is) gaff, in some park in London. We were all dressed in our best 'bib and tucker' as were the many others - that is except for a pop star, well known (as Private Eye would have it) for being tired and emotional - George Michael. His attire can best be described as; casual whilst his general appearance suggested his razor needed a new blade.


As to the 'Millies', I find them embarrassing to watch and hence turn the TV off after a few minutes. I feel great respect and admiration for those being honoured and their awards are well deserved, although in some cases they are awards for having an award. I would much prefer to see a more dignified acknowledgement.


It will be interesting to see what happens in the future. With no service SAR and supposedly no more 'foreign interventions' (Oh Yeh!!), the only thing to acknowledge will be Ebola outbreaks.


O-D