Flessland, an attorney, became a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for “meritorious services for Norwegian interests and Norwegian citizens.” The Order with its unique medal was presented by Sissel Breie, Norway’s Consul General in New York, in a ceremony in Detroit on June 26, 2012, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Consul General Sissel Breie received a personal tour of highlights of the museum collection before pinning the Knight of the Order of Merit award on Flessland's left lapel. Among the art works she viewed were suits of armor in the Great Hall--part of the armor collection of newspaperman William Randolph Hearst acquired by the museum.
In accepting his award, Flessland thanked King Harald, the Consul General, the guests in attendance, and the Norwegian and consular community for their support. He also recalled his late mother who had Swedish ancestry but also proudly honored the Norwegian heritage of her husband, Chris Flessland, who was present to see his son receive the rare honor.
The ceremony included a reception in the atrium of the museum’s historic Kresge Court, sponsored by the office of the Consul General in New York and by the Farmington Hills-based Nordkap Lodge of the Sons of Norway.
Guests enjoyed a festive dessert buffet, with freshly prepared bananas foster, cheesecake, petite fours, truffles, and a selection of fruit and cheeses. A quartet of musicians in Scandinavian folk attire softly played Scandinavian tunes as attendees sipped drinks and gourmet coffees and teas.
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit was founded by Norway’s King Olav V in 1985. It is conferred on foreign and Norwegian nationals as a reward for their outstanding service in the interest of Norway. His Majesty The King of Norway is the Grand Master of the Order
The Insignia of the Order is the Cross of St. Olav, a medal wrought in gold or silver, with a plain crown in each of the four corners formed by the arms of the cross, inlaid with a rounded, red cross in the centre with King Olav V’s monogram surmounted by a crown. The order’s ribbon is made of navy blue silk.