King honors Sgt. Omar Al Balawneh with the Order of Dedication and Sacrifice
30-03-2015 11:21 PM
Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Monday, honored Sgt. Omar Falah Al Balawneh of the Civil Defence Department (CDD), with the Order of Dedication and Sacrifice, in recognition of his courage and prowess for having rescued two Iraqi children when strong waves had swept them away from the beach in the Dead Sea last Friday.
In the presence of CDD Director General Lt. Gen. Talal Kofahi, King Abdullah ordered the promotion Al Balawneh from sergeant to warrant officer for his dedication towards fulfilling his military duty.
Upon receiving sergeant Al Balawneh and his parents and the Iraqi children and their mother at Al Husseiniya Palace, His Majesty the King expressed pride at the heroism of Al Balawneh, and his sacrifice in the field "in order to provide safety and security for the sons and daughters of our dear homeland and its guests." The King praised the professionalism and craftsmanship of CDD's personnel, who have been always up to Jordanians' expectations and confidence.
Sergeant Al Balawneh, who is stationed at the CDD's Dead Sea Center, responded to a distressed Iraqi mother, whose two children (Mariam, 13 years old, and Maher, 11 years old) were pulled away to the sea after a storm suddenly erupted last Friday.
He remained in the sea for around 12 hours 17 kilometers away from the shore in the middle of the sea until rescue boats reached them and managed to bring them back to the beach safely and securely.
In an interview with Petra, sergeant Omar Falah Al Balawneh said, "My feeling is indescribable as I stand before His Majesty the King, who told me 'You deserve this Order, and what I have done is my duty and I am proud that I'm a CDD personnel, whose task is to save lives."