Dominic Troulan awarded George Cross - his thoughts

The announcement in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List of the award of the George Cross to Dominic Troulan, the first living civilian to be recognised with the award for more than forty years, is wonderful news and the award is richly deserved.
Dominic has issued the following statement:
Dominic Charles Troulan, George Cross (GC), Queens Gallantry Medal (QGM)
June 17, 2017
To my enormous surprise, I have been named as a recipient of the George Cross in the Queen’s Birthday honours list. This is a tremendous honour that I would never have imagined would one day be bestowed upon me, and I feel more humbled than words can say.
I would like to dedicate this award to all victims of terrorism, and in particular those who were caught up in the Westgate Nairobi attack – a horrendous day that will stay with all of us present for the rest of our lives. I would like to pay special tribute to the many people of Kenya who rose to the challenge in so many different ways with quiet acts of decency, compassion and courage too numerous to count. I would also like to thank the staff at the British High Commission in Nairobi for all they did throughout the incident and its painful aftermath. They displayed the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to duty, in the very best traditions of the diplomatic service.
In the past few months, we have seen terrorists trying to undermine democracy and attack the innocent on the streets of the United Kingdom and Kenya. The attacks have made it clearer than ever that there are people living in our countries who are intent on causing as much grief and gratuitous destruction as possible, and who have no regard whatsoever for the sanctity of human life.
I would urge political leaders around the world to continue to work together to defeat terrorism. It is a good moment to remember the words of Edmund Burke, who pointed out that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Let us give the police, security services and specialist military units the resources and legal framework they need to keep our societies safe and defend our democratic ideals.
The former US president Theodore Roosevelt gave the following speech in April, 1910, and I believe his words have never been more relevant than they are today. They are an inspiring reminder of an eternal truth: there is a source of courage in every individual, and all of us, in our own unique ways, have a part to play in defending the values we hold dear.
Its not the critic who counts Nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles Or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; Who knows great enthusiasm, great devotion and the triumph of achievement. And who, at the worst, if he fails at least fails whilst daring greatly – so that his place shall never be with those odd and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. You’ve never lived until you’ve almost died. For those who have had to fight for it Life has truly a flavour the protected shall never know. Dom Troulan GC QGM

Visit the following links for more information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40304765