A picky first world problem perhaps, but in the reporting of the ongoing Ben Roberts Smith saga, and the Victoria Cross more generally, I wish the media would stop referring to those that have been recipients of the Victoria Cross as “winners of the Victoria Cross”.
The reference to “winning” is tacky and cheap, making it sound like a contest worthy of Eddie McGuire and late afternoon television.
It undermines, erodes and devalues the significance of the VC to something less than the act of bravery, valour, courage and sacrifice that it actually is.
A better choice of words I think, would be, awarded, earned, or simply “a recipient of the VC” as these convey more deeply and sincerely the associated heroism, and merit.