The decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty were handed out at the Finnish Knights’ Room on 2nd of June 2026

The Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty presented the decorations of the Cross of Liberty, awarded by the Grand Master of the Order, President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, on 4th of June 2026, at a ceremony held at the Finnish Knights’ Hall in Helsinki on Tuesday 2nd of June 2026. A total of 10 people were awarded.

The Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and the awardees, photo: Jooa Granlund

The Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and the awardees, photo: Jooa Granlund

  • Rear admiral Timo Junttila (Treasurer of Order of the Cross of Liberty)
  • Lieutenant General Eero Pyötsiä (Secretary of the Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty)
  • Researcher Janne Aalto (3rd Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • Commander Marko Aheristo (3rd Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • Language specialist Tuula Hildén (4th Class of the Order of Liberty)
  • Major general Matti Sarasmaa (1st Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • General Ari Puheloinen (Chancellor of Order of the Cross of Liberty)
  • Communications specialist Päivi Lohi (4th Class of the Order of Liberty)
  • Major Markku Helle (3rd Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • Captain Antti Vahe (4th Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • Second lieutenant Lassi Laatikainen (4th Class with swords and rosette ribbon of the Order of Liberty)
  • Captain Jouni Välimaa (4th Class with swords of the Order of Liberty)
  • Lieutenant General Sakari Honkamaa (Vice Chancellor of Order of the Cross of Liberty)
The award recipients, the Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and invited guests in the Knights’ Hall, photo: Lempi Leinonen

The award recipients, the Board of the Order of the Cross of Liberty and invited guests in the Knights’ Hall, photo: Lempi Leinonen

In addition to the awardees, the ceremony was attended by invited guests from the top leadership of the Defence Forces and Border Guard. The wind quintet of the Guards Band performed at the event.

Kuvateksti: Kaartin soittokunnan puhallinkvintetin musiikkiesitys: Myrskyluodon Maija (Lasse Mårtensson), kuva Lempi Leinonen

Music performance by the Guard Band’s wind quintet: Myrskyluodon Maija (Lasse Mårtensson), photo: Lempi Leinonen

Lieutenant General Rami Saari and Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen congratulating the award recipients, photo: Jooa Granlund kuva Jooa Granlund

Lieutenant General Rami Saari and Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen congratulating the award recipients, photo: Jooa Granlund