NOS News•today, 8:02 PM
“I think we have a problem,” said the Frisian Piet de Haan when he noticed that Mayor Kramer of Noardeast-Fryslân was about to award him a ribbon. He did not want an award in the name of the king.
De Haan immediately explained why. “I have nothing to do with the royal family. I actually find it very disturbing.” He was also surprised that the people who had given up on him had not realized this.
The man from Dokkum would receive the award for his years of volunteer work for the Historical Association of North-East Friesland. He sat in the audience with family and friends, thinking he was coming for a friend who would receive a ribbon. Until the mayor started praising him.
‘Dagger stab’
De Haan expressed that he was honored by the appreciation for his work. But to receive a ribbon for this on behalf of the king, that went too far for him: “It is not an honor for me. It is a kind of stab from the dagger.”
The mayor said he respects his position. He emphasized that a ribbon is a means, and not an end, and concluded by once again expressing gratitude for De Haan’s volunteer work.
A compilation of the ribbon shower, with Piet de Haan’s response:
3375 ribbons awarded, but not everyone wants one: ‘I am not participating in this’
Tags: honor
