Sir Ed's funeral service

[Sully60]

Sir Edmund Hillary July 20, 1919 - January 11, 2008

It has been confirmed that Sir Edmund Hillary passed away this morning at 9:00am in Auckland Hospital, aged 88. A truly iconic kiwi figure, his passing will be morned by many, from his family to people all around the world. His humble, generous, determined nature and larger than life achievements were inspirational to countless people.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4351997a10.html

[Sully60]

I just heard (and I'm not sure on this so I won't go too far)
That Sir Edmund Hillary has just passed away.

Is anyone else aware of this or do you know for sure?

I'm not normally into this kind of post but if it's true then I am saddened to hear of the loss of someone I believe to be a great New Zealander
:weep:

Edit: As I have found this too be true, RIP, you will be missed.

[98tls]

Yep,RIP.Great New Zealander.

[Devil]

Yep, tis true.
Rest in piece ya legend. :rockon:

[James Deuce]

I wonder who knocked the bastard off?

[vifferman]

Well, he was toldlessly old. He had a very good innings, and accomplished a lot, especially for the people of Nepal.

He was modest too:
"I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just an average bloke; it was the media that transformed me into a heroic figure. And try as I did, there was no way to destroy my heroic image. But as I learned through the years, as long as you didn’t believe all that rubbish about yourself, you wouldn’t come to much harm."

[terbang]

Yes a true Kiwi icon from a time when we were allowed to be adventurous. RIP Sir Ed.

[turtleman]

Bugger. A great role model. A great man.

[Trudes]

A real loss, but the old fellas go when they're ready I guess. RIP Sir Edmund, hope there are many foot hills to climb in heaven.

[hXc]

RIP mate. At least he lived a full life and didn't exactly go before his time.

[Ocean1]

Bugger.


Do we have to give all our five dollar notes back?

[007XX]

At 88 years of age, the ol fella did better than most!

RIP Sir!

[yungatart]

A humble dude.
A great loss.
RIP


There should be a national day of mourning for this old guy...and a new public holiday in his honour!

[Ocean1]

Doesn't that mean they'll be worth more now?


Don't know. *trundles off to the bank to stock up*


Is it like deceased artists work?

Deceased artists work?

[Colapop]

There are none so famous as those who seek only to better themselves and better the lives of others. For no reward other than to see the smiling faces of those whose lives they've touched.

Not only a great NZer but a great man in the truest sense of the word. Climb well, Sir.

[Blackbird]

In England a lifetime ago, I was a member of Hillary House in my old school. Amazingly, out of the 4 houses, Rutherford was also represented. It wasn’t just a name, we also got to learn about why these people were chosen for our house names and Hillary seemed to have the values to which everyone should aspire.

Jennie and I came to live in NZ in 1975 and once again, the Hillary name became a regular news item. To us, his basic decency, concern for his fellow human beings and integrity represents what makes New Zealanders so special in the world.

Rest in peace Sir Ed.

[mstriumph]

off in search of new frontiers to conquer





fare thee well ...

[Mully]

RIP Sir Ed, you will be missed.

[Zukin]

A real adventurer has been lost and will never return
Makes me feel so small in comparison to his achievements

A real NZ icon, and his legacy will live forever :bye::bye:

[Mr Merde]

Having grown up in Papakura, this man held a special place in my thoughts as a "local made good". Met him on a few occasions. Always impressed.

Sad to see him pass but we all are going to go sometime.

The measure of the man is in how he affected others around him.

In this respect Sir Ed was a man of men.


RIP

[The Lone Rider]

I'm a bit behind on the news.

Only just found out watching tv.

[slowpoke]

He was modest too:
"I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just an average bloke; it was the media that transformed me into a heroic figure. And try as I did, there was no way to destroy my heroic image. But as I learned through the years, as long as you didn’t believe all that rubbish about yourself, you wouldn’t come to much harm."

Thanks for the quote, if only we all followed such tenets in life. It's amazing that a man who scaled such great heights was also incredibly down to earth.

Bye Ed, you did us proud, mate.

[Ixion]

A humble dude.
A great loss.
RIP


There should be a national day of mourning for this old guy...and a new public holiday in his honour!

A very good idea. The last state funeral in NZ was for Micheal Joseph Savage. Hillary is at least as deserving .

I remember when he climbed that mountain, it didn't seem such a big deal then. It was the work he did after that which won our hearts.

The last New Zealand Hero is dead. We are all the poorer for it.

I myself feel strangly diminished, as if an era has ended.

[Daffyd]

Climb on to that great mountain in the sky, Sir Ed.

[Hitcher]

Thank you Ed Hillary for demonstrating a strength of character that has become synomymous for Kiwi resolve and determination. And for being an outstanding ambassador for our scroty little isolated nation, indeed probably our most famous "son". You were a good bloke. We will miss you.

[Dafe]

You really can't help but like the Guy. He's a real New Zealander.
And he made it quietly obvious that he wasn't much fond of the Labour party!
RIP Sir Ed.

[MisterD]

RIP. A great man, whose departure leaves all of us more than a little poorer.

[Oakie]

'Humble', yes. I used to work at Mount Cook and he visited from time to time. I heard a story that on one of his visits he spent a bit of time at the tavern one evening amongst the locals just yarning. A couple of loud American climbers came in and spent some time boasting about one of the lesser mountains in the park they'd conquered and returned from that day. Sir Ed just sat there politely listening and didn't say a word about who he was. Eventually he retired to his room with the Americans still none the wiser.

Postscript: Yes, the locals did enlighten the visitors after he left.

He's a man who's character we could all do well to emulate and I'm sure his memory will not be allowed to fade away. I do feel a little empty this afternoon.

RIP Sir Ed.

[Toaster]

Thanks Sir Ed for your life-long example of humility in action, dedication, commitment and sacrifice for the needs of others.

Your conquering of Mt Everest inspired me in my mountaineering days. Definitely one of the most challenging things I have ever done.

You were a real decent bloke with a huge heart and will be missed. You are New Zealand's greatest icon.

[chanceyy]

RIP Sir Ed

a true gentleman who will be greatly missed ...

["D" FZ1]

Rest in Peace Sir Ed.

[skidMark]

R.I.P Sir Ed.

We have all got to go someday.:bye:

I know theres no way i will make it to that age!

[MVnut]

One of the greatest heroes of our time. RIP

[onearmedbandit]

Sad day for the country. Goobye Sir Ed.

[Grub]

"To be washed gently ashore, maybe on the many pleasant beaches near the place I was born. Then the full circle of my life will be complete." - on why he wanted his ashes scattered in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour

And I will stand and salute you next time I sail by, nobody else has epitomised what that generation came to value as "being a New Zealander". It will never happen again as we become a less homogenous people and our values become non PC. It is indeed sad as you stood for so much ... very little of which was to do with climbing mountains

[pzkpfw]

Not to gush or anything (he wouldn't want it himself) but is there any living New Zealander who compares?

[Indiana_Jones]

I hear there's going to be a state funeral

A sad day for NZ, but like it's been said, he had a good innings :)

-Indy

[Paul in NZ]

I'd be very disturbed if this thread degraded into BS....

I've been reading some of the tributes...

This one appealed! (edited for brevity)

Governor-General Anand Satyanand

"I cannot think of better words to describe this iconic man than those he used himself when he said: 'I discovered that even the mediocre can have adventures and even the fearful can achieve. I had the world beneath my clumsy boots and saw the red sun slip over the horizon after the dark Antarctic winter. But for me the most rewarding moments have not always been the great moments, for what can surpass a tear on your departure, joy on your return, and a trusting hand in yours?'

"Sir Edmund's life was an inspiration to all New Zealanders and his memory and works will live on. We will deeply miss his trusting hand."

I'm gratified to see Sir Ed will have a State Funeral.... I suspect not much else will be done that day!

[Grahameeboy]

At 88 years of age, the ol fella did better than most!

RIP Sir!

I agree....so why so sad....did NZ want him to live forever??

[knuckles24]

A great loss to new zealand goodbye to a fantastic icon :weep:

[kiwibryn]

There is a Herald page as well http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/index.cfm?c_id=1501792

[Ghost_Bullet]

The end of an amazing era of a great NZ'er.

No doubt he will continue to inspire people to do great tings way into the future!:niceone:

[Firefight]

I meet him once, and will never forget

a wonderfully modest man, a great kiwi bloke

Nzs best ambassador ever.

RIP Sir Ed..





F/F

[Deviant Esq]

A true Kiwi legend in every sense of the (slightly overused) term. Down to earth, a decent bloke, he was in good spirits until the end, looking forward to heading home (Christchurch).

R.I.P Sir Ed. New Zealand is poorer for your passing.

[Maha]

What staggers me is, in 1953, he and others reached the summit of Everest in/with gear that seems so rudimentary by todays standards. Some Mountian Climbers today struggle to acheive what he did. A lady holding a baby was intervied on TV about his Death and said '' this baby will learn about Sir Edmund in School''....that is so true, his life will be forever taught in our schools, Go the Bee Keeper! :niceone:

[Wellyman]

Thanks for everything Sir.
You will be missed... RIP.
WM

[SPman]

Bugger!

Bugger Bugger Bugger!

The quiet achiever in the family pops off, as, inevitably, he had to.

His example remains though, in the minds of those who care.

Farewell, old fella.


And he made it quietly obvious that he wasn't much fond of the Labour party!
He wasn't fond of any party that didn't have the welfare and interests of the ordinary citizen at heart!

[R6_kid]

Having completed both the Sir Ed OPC Course and recently completing Outward Bound I know but a fraction of the effort required to achieve what he did in his life time.

RIP a true legend - the first man to climb the last peak.

[Grahameeboy]

What staggers me is, in 1953, he and others reached the summit of Everest in/with gear that seems so rudimentary by todays standards. Some Mountian Climbers today struggle to acheive what he did. A lady holding a baby was intervied on TV about his Death and said '' this baby will learn about Sir Edmund in School''....that is so true, his life will be forever taught in our schools, Go the Bee Keeper! :niceone:

Although rudimentary, it is about layers at the end of the day.

He still used oxygen as far as I know.

He almost pulled out.....difference now is that the less rudimentary gear probably makes many climbers take risks and they fail

[Mom]

Deeply saddened to hear of this great mans passing.

ICON is a word that is being used to describe him.

Yes, a very sad day indeed.

[jtzzr]

A great Kiwi Icon ,I`m sure a country mourns.

[Bikernereid]

Not a Kiwi myelf but he was an amazing inspiration to people throughout the world, NZ and his family have my sympathy. He will be missed.


I just heard (and I'm not sure on this so I won't go too far)
That Sir Edmund Hillary has just passed away.

Is anyone else aware of this or do you know for sure?

I'm not normally into this kind of post but if it's true then I am saddened to hear of the loss of someone I believe to be a great New Zealander
:weep:

Edit: As I have found this too be true, RIP, you will be missed.

[Ixion]

I agree....so why so sad....did NZ want him to live forever??

Yes. Enough said.

[Indiana_Jones]

well it is sad, just not tragic

-Indy

[gijoe1313]

...........

[jonbuoy]

Although rudimentary, it is about layers at the end of the day.

He still used oxygen as far as I know.

He almost pulled out.....difference now is that the less rudimentary gear probably makes many climbers take risks and they fail

No way - synthetics like gortex/polar fleece have made huge jumps in weight and performance. Not to mention synthetic ropes, composite ice tools/crampons/boots/sleeping bags/tents. The man was a legend no taking that away from him. Half the people doing it now have their kit lugged up most of the way by sherpas in jandals.

[Curious_AJ]

Cheers Eddie, you achieved much.

[steveb64]

Crap. :( I never met the guy, but he inspired me none the less. I read pretty much about all of his adventures when I was at school, many years ago - and again over the years... one determined man when he wanted to achieve something.

A truly iconic Kiwi hero - one of NZ's greats, and I can't believe how sad I feel about the news of his passing.

[NZsarge]

Yes a true Kiwi icon from a time when we were allowed to be adventurous. RIP Sir Ed.


Bugger. A great role model. A great man.
Yeah reckon, +1, RIP Ed.

[enigma51]

Oooo and one more thing

Sir Edmond was a true inspiration to all walks of life and he will be miss

[roadracingoldfart]

When i was a bit younger i was at a course for the Navy at Anakiwa in the sounds and Sir Ed came to give a speech to the boys.
After it about a dozen of us asked if we could get his signiture in our log books and he abliged and told us we could all get a photo of him and he would get them to us very very soon. About 20 mins after he left the camp we were summond to the mess and given a crisp $5.00 note with his image on it each from Sir Ed. What a clever bastard.
Im ashamed to say i spent it and now wish i had kept it as the special gift it was.
Keep guiding people Sir Ed and now you can look down at the peaks you conquered.

[eliot-ness]

In the fifties Ed Hillary was as much a hero in England as he was here. I remember the school closing for half a day and all pupils went to the local cinema to watch the film of the ascent. A lifetime of great achievements by a great but humble man has finally come to an end. He was, to my mind anyway, the only man of the last century who actually deserved the title "Sir". He will be missed

[TonyB]

Well we all knew it had to happen, yet it doesn't really make it any easier. A truley great man has passed.

[Toaster]

A very good idea. The last state funeral in NZ was for Micheal Joseph Savage. Hillary is at least as deserving .

Absolutely deserving! And fyi here are three state funerals since Savage that I have tracked down and confirmed:

In 2003 the "Unknown Warrior", whose body was returned from a World War 1 European battlefield, was given a state funeral, and so was New Zealand's then last Victoria Cross holder Jack Hinton in July 1997.

The last state funeral before the Unknown Warrior's was the one held for former Governor-General Sir David Beattie in 2001.

[Scorpygirl]

I met him in 1990. A very humble man indeed. Freaky cause the Sky Documentary Channel has a programme on him conquering Everest screening now. All scheduled before his passing. I won't say RIP or .... or RIP... cause I don't know him and might offend some people!!! :eek5:

PS Go with the gods. I have my prayer flags flying for you.

[WelshWizard]

I remember watching him back in the fifties giving an interview just after he had done the big climb, when ask why, he said he did it for the Empire, Old school like Burt will be missed as he was an example of how to act, not by just saying , but doing it.
You gave your family much to be proud of, may they remember you with fond memories for a long time to come.

[Maha]

Absolutely deserving! And fyi here are three state funerals since Savage that I have tracked down and confirmed:

In 2003 the "Unknown Warrior", whose body was returned from a World War 1 European battlefield, was given a state funeral, and so was New Zealand's then last Victoria Cross holder Jack Hinton in July 1997.

The last state funeral before the Unknown Warrior's was the one held for former Governor-General Sir David Beattie in 2001.

And Norm Kirk?...

[Toaster]

And Norm Kirk?...

Doh! Good point.... highly likely given that he was serving at the time of death wasn't he... August 1974? He was the fifth Prime Minister to die in office.... that office must have been a tad smelly by then!

[Rhino]

And Norm Kirk?...
Norm Kirk (former Mayor of my old home town Kaiapoi) died on August 31 1974. I can't remember the date of the funeral, but I'm sure that it was the next one after M.J. Savage.

[Toaster]

And Norm Kirk?...

... you'd remember Savages funeral wouldn't ya Mark?

[huck farley]

Rest in Peace Sir Edmund, I can still recall as if was yesterday standing at assembly at school when the headmaster announced It is official the New Zealand's Edmond Hillary has conquered Mount Everest.

But what he should have said was Quote: Well we knocked the bastard of" Unquote. You conquered many things in your lifetime to make us all very proud to be Kiwis"

I am sure the whole country would say the same thing. It's sure going to be quiet around the place now that you have gone from this world. So you will Just have to start over again with a few beehives at first, and later I'm sure you will find something up there to Conquer.
You will be sadly missed
Our thoughts are with your family.
From the Phillips Family
Wanganui

[Maha]

... you'd remember Savages funeral wouldn't ya Mark?

Yes im 90...:yes:
There was one other state funeral i think, Sir Keith Holyoak?

[Ixion]

I think it may be a matter of definition. There's a difference betwen a State funeral (equivalent to the funeral of a King) and an official funeral.

I follow the UK definition: a funeral consequent to a act of parliament, officiated by the Archbishop, and officially attended by the Queen's personal representative.

Savage's was (I think). I imagine the Unknown Soldier was, not sure about the others.

But as Hillary was a K.G. ( was he the only Kiwi K.G. ever ?) he's entitled to a Garter funeral anyway.

[Toaster]

Yes im 90...:yes:
There was one other state funeral i think, Sir Keith Holyoak?

Prime Ministers who died in office:

Ballance (1893), Seddon (1906), Massey (1925), Savage (1940), Kirk (1974).

Holyoake stepped down as Prime Minister in early 1972 (because I was born and he couldn't handle the thought). He stayed on as an MP until 1977 when he was appointed Governor-General. He was Governor-General until 1980 and died in 1983 - therefore would not have been entitled to a state funeral as he was no longer appointed to either office at the time of death.

[Swoop]

The type of person that many of our youth should aspire to be.

RIP.

[MyGSXF]

Not to be an asshole but I dont think this news really warrants it to be on the front page of kiwibiker if you need to come to kb for your daily news update you need to get a life

Is the front page not suppose to be for events or news related to kiwi biking like the cheese cutter thing or was Sir edmond a biker as well?



:doh: Well obviously Spankme felt it important enough to put on the front page of his website!

& maybe it's YOU that needs to get a life! <_<

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R.I.P Sir Ed.. my heart feels heavy today & I shed a few tears for the passing of a truely wonderful human being :bye:

Gone.. but NEVER to be forgotten! :first:

[xgnr]

Just watching Sky news now and after an evening of channel switching Ed has always answered the same questions with the same responses over a significant number of years.

He must have had the patience of a Saint!

[selectedgrub]

"The explorers of the past were great men and we should honour them. But let us not forget that their spirit lives on. It is still not hard to find a man who will adventure for the sake of a dream or one who will search, for the pleasure of searching, not for what he may find."


RIP

[Mikkel]

A very well-deserved RIP to one of this planet's last great explorers!

I hope his legacy will encourage young people in the generations to come, to go out together and push their boundaries!

[Pussy]

Sad passing of a great man. RIP, Sir Ed

[James Deuce]

It was quite moving to see the NZ Flag on top of the Beehive at half mast this morning.

Some of the tributes on the BBC's website have been almost comical in just how difficult it was for the average (privileged) English mountaineer to understand Sir Ed's view of his place in the world, and just how integral egalitarianism is to NZ culture, irrespective of ethnic background.

This chap thinks we have a class structure to ascend for instance:

""He was an utterly sensible person. He enjoyed spending time amongst New Zealanders because for him it was being back in the environment that he had worked his way up through." (Brian Wilkins)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7182414.stm

It is rather nice to see Sir Ed kept them confounded to the end, and it shows how different his world view was from that of his mountaineering "peers".

[Swoop]

That is probably why he went to the top with Tensing. All the Brits were standing about saying "after you old boy", "no, after you old chum!"
So the logical choice would leave the two "Colonials" to wander up the hill by themselves.
I bet the Brits thought they'd "come a cropper", and would then rush back to Blighty to sell their stories to the papers.:laugh: Just a shame EH & TN proved them wrong!

[Lucy]

A humble dude.
A great loss.
RIP


There should be a national day of mourning for this old guy...and a new public holiday in his honour!

Now that is an EXCELLENT idea!

[Lucy]

Full name and address. Now there is a sign of someone not drunk on the power and fame of celebrity.

I mean, I never rang him, but it was kind of nice to know I could.

[buellbabe]

In my opinion words can’t express what a true mountain of a man Sir Ed was. He was the epitomy of the true kiwi bloke and typical of the down-to-earth no worries mate Kiwi. As well as the huge amounts of work done in Nepal he was also tireless in his charity work here in NZ. In fact he grew up not far from where I live and has always been inspirational to the children in the local communities.

Never even met the bloke and yet I cried buckets watching the tributes on TV... it says alot about Sir Ed that he was able to reach out and touch so many hearts.

Bless.

[scracha]

[THANK you to mod for moving these posts to PD.]
"oh, there's someone who desn't worship one of our precious national icons...boo hoo...move his comments"

Is this the new KB trend for 2008....say something someone disagees with and it gets moved to PD? My comments were on topic.

NAZIS

[huck farley]

Yes im 90...:yes:
There was one other state funeral i think, Sir Keith Holyoak?

Ain't we forgetting piggies? didn't he have one as well?

[Hitcher]

Sir David Beattie was the last "real" New Zealander to have a state funeral. The "Unknown Warrior" also got one.

[Ixion]

This (http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20080113)is really funny, and very appropriate also. He certainly was loved and respected world wide.

[BarryG]

I've always thought Edmund Hillary was the epitome of the New Zealander. Quiet, unassuming, accomplished, brave, calm, caring.
In this day and age, we should continue to aspire to remain so.
His passing is a sad day, but I take comfort in knowing, as a Kiwi, I will always have the connection.
Cheers
Barry

[maxworldbiker]

What is even sadder than Ed's passing, for me, is the fact that those idiot Royal Family toffs have all decided they don't believe our beloved icon is worthy of their representation at his State Funeral. None of them or their representatives are coming over here for it. What fkn tossers. What a bloody disgace. Remind me again why we've chosen to remain part of "The Commonwealth", or what we get out of it that's any bloody use to us??? This gesture, like many others that have gone before it, proves that as part of their so called commonwealth, to which we are supposed to be aligned, they don't give a monkey's about us. There's no respect for the fact that we're a nation grieving for what must surely be one of the greatest achievers and humanitarians the commonwealth has ever produced. Knighting someone is great, but it loses its lustre when it doesn't even bring with it enough respect to at least get SOMEBODY in the firm to rock up at a State Funeral after the fact. When the Queen dies, EnZed will be expected to pay respectful homage in some high profile form. Those that can't make it to Buck House, for the candlelight vigil and the wailings and gnashings of teeth, will no doubt be required to sit around in sobbing heaps in the corner while its all televised anyway. I won't be in either of those crowds! I'll be on my bike, refusing to even think about it.

[Krayy]

One of the tangible of telecommuting is that I can be at home to watch this moving tribute to a great, great man.

A few tears at the end of his grandson eulogy, and while the kids from Hillary School did the Haka as they put the casket in the hearse.

Bless you Sir Ed.


(Pity about Clarke being the sitting PM and having pride of place at the head of the entourage)

[SPman]

Same here in W.A.

I should have been there - haven't missed a family funeral for 40 years, then, 2 in 3 months!

Ah well............

[Paul in NZ]

Nice to see a job well done.... RIP sir ed...

[325rocket]

Anyone else catch the funeral service today?
What an amazing man.

[Hitcher]

At least Sir Ed had been able to hear the adulation and respect people had for him whilst he was alive. I am always saddened by the great things that are said at funerals that the deceased would have had little knowledge or appreciation of. If you think somebody is great or does outstanding things, please tell them that while they're alive. Tell those you love that you do. Tell your kids you're proud of them. Tell your parents you appreciate everything they've done for you. While it means something and before it's too late.

[Paul in NZ]

Well - I guess this needs a bit of 'expansion'... While I shed a tear for a GREAT man...

Tonight I'm proud to be a Kiwi, I'm proud of our most famous son, I'm happy the pricks on TV finally realised someone was bigger than their egos and they all decently wore black (they could have pulled the adds but thats hoping beyond hope), proud to live in a country where someone can step forward and throw a bunch of flowers onto a hearse without getting shot or arrested because it could have been a bomb and proud that it was all handled with style and dignity...

God speed Sir Ed.... Inspirational and encouraging and increased MY personal determination to do more and to be a better man!

Paul N

ps - I'm also sad that Sir Peter Blake - the only one that might have taken on his mantle died so young and if the Russell Couts of the world ever needed reminding why most real Kiwis would still not cross the road to piss on the prick if he was on fire then......

[SPman]

ps - I'm also sad that Sir Peter Blake - the only one that might have taken on his mantle died so young and if the Russell Couts of the world ever needed reminding why most real Kiwis would still not cross the road to piss on the prick if he was on fire then......

I agree! Tragic!

[Paul in NZ]

What is even sadder than Ed's passing, for me, is the fact that those idiot Royal Family toffs have all decided they don't believe our beloved icon is worthy of their representation at his State Funeral. .

We are a sovereign nation - a proud people and we don't need their blessing to be proud of the lad - besides - they are all really old and it was a bit sudden.

[Daffyd]

What is even sadder than Ed's passing, for me, is the fact that those idiot Royal Family toffs have all decided they don't believe our beloved icon is worthy of their representation at his State Funeral. None of them or their representatives are coming over here for it. What fkn tossers. What a bloody disgace. Remind me again why we've chosen to remain part of "The Commonwealth", or what we get out of it that's any bloody use to us??? This gesture, like many others that have gone before it, proves that as part of their so called commonwealth, to which we are supposed to be aligned, they don't give a monkey's about us. There's no respect for the fact that we're a nation grieving for what must surely be one of the greatest achievers and humanitarians the commonwealth has ever produced.

Their representative WAS present - in the front row. The Governor General!

On an aside... I was very impressed with the way the three biker cops managed to ride so slowly with barely a waver and keeping their feet on the pegs all the time.

It was a very touching funeral for a great man!

[buellbabe]

I didn't watch the service but caught the general overview on the news. Great to see people all over the country honoring him in their own way.
What a heart-warming sendoff.

Proud to be a Kiwi.

[Hitcher]

A fitting tribute?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4xgIebk-zHE