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Bethe Lewis, Estonian Defence Forces, Meritorious Service Award

Bethe Lewis, an English instructor with the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC), was honored with the Estonian Defence Forces Meritorious Service Cross on June 18 for her work there since January. Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots, Commander of the Estonia Defence Forces (EDF), presented Ms Lewis with the medal during a promotion and awards ceremony held at the Laidoner Museum in Viimsi, which is located about 20 minutes outside of the City of Tallinn. There were several promotions and then five individuals, 3 military and 2 civilians (one from Estonia and Ms Lewis) were each presented the EDF Meritorious Service Cross. This particular medal is awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and distinguished service within the EDF. DLIELC language instructors are currently teaching in over 60 countries around the world as part of the Non-Resident Program. The Resident Program trains approximately 3,000 students a year in the San Antonio schoolhouse. Students attending the Department of Defense American Language Course represent roughly 85 countries throughout any given year. Photos by LT Piret Paju, Estonian Defence Forces.