CIA Director, retired Army General David Petraeus was today appointed as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange Nassau with swords.  This took place at the Dutch Ministry of Defence.♠  The award was presented by the Defense Minister, Hans Hillen.

Someone translated the Dutch into English as follows:

The former four-star general, who as the son of a Dutch father Frisian roots has received his decorations hung in the presence of Dutch (old) and his military colleagues Frisian relatives.  General Petraeus son of a Dutch father.  The Commissioner of the Province of Friesland, John Jorritsma handed the General's family tree dating back to the year 1599.  Petraeus responded enthusiastically to his award, he praised the good cooperation with the Netherlands and the quality of the Dutch soldiers.  He shut off applicable in Dutch: "The Netherlands, for ever!".

Of course, Director Patraeus will have to comply with Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution and the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act.  I got that from a lawyer.

General Petraeus is not the first American to receive this award.  The same honor was bestowed on Lowell's own Hoyt S Vandenburg.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Yes, they do spell it that way across the pond.