Local nurse receives royal honor

After more than 14 years of volunteer work, retired nurse Margrit Elliot, was recently honored by the king in the Southeast Asian country of Bhutan for her humanitarian efforts.

Elliot was awarded a gold medal in the National Order of Merit of Bhutan, the highest civil award given in the nation. The award ceremony took place in Eastern Bhutan on Dec. 17, the country’s National Day.

“Think of it like American Fourth of July and celebrates Bhutan being independent,” said Elliot. “It is usually held in the west of Bhutan, closer to the airports. But this year it was held in the east, which can ta...