Funeral for flyin. Wellington KBers

[GROOMER]

You work on the mitsubishi yard?

Yip. Mexteds

[Paul in NZ]

One for welcoming us so warmly but especially for allowing to play such a huge role in Sams funeral.

KBers travelled from as far as Hamilton and Taranaki to take part in this special rememberance and every single one of us was made to feel very welcome.

The procession from Tawa to the Cemetary was indeed a sight to behold, a huge number of bikes and a wicked sound.

Thankyou again for such an opportunity to say goodbye to a mate.

And Flyin, we miss you already.

Good onyas... Well done

Paul N

Now I feel a double prat...

[MD]

Unfortunately I couldnt attend the funeral, but it looked awesome having all those bikes riding past work through tawa. I got it on video as everyone rode past.

I saw you filming and thought 'I hope that's Groomer' - bring the camera Tuesday night if it's not a hassle.
To all you awesome fellow KBers, well done, we can indeed pat ourselves on the back. It was clear from the moment we arrived that we were welcome. I was especially touched by the family & friends gathering along the footpath waving and clapping as we went past the Church to line up behind the hearse.
Looked great all those bikes winding their way in procession.Have a good weekend all. I'm off to Waikanae for a weekend at the beach with the Missus and Kids
MD

[Hitcher]

What a deeply moving and humbling day. Sam's service was amazing. It demonstrated the high regard that he and his family are held in by many many people from all walks of life. For one so young Sam had deeply touched and influenced the lives of many folk. His loss was clearly deeply felt by his folks and his brothers and sister.

I was moved by many things today. The eulogies brought a lump to my throat, as did the waiata from the Te Puni Kokiri folks (Sam's dad Paul works there). The priest's sermon was also moving -- picking up on Sam's KB handle "Flyin" as the key theme of his address.

I was impressed with how welcome we were all made, particularly by the priests but also by Sam's family.

The ride out to Whenua Tapu was something I will always remember, riding towards the end of a procession of 50-odd bikes. I was impressed by the dignity and respect everybody showed for this occassion and for the wishes and feelings of Sam's family.

Thanks to everybody who organised things for today. You're a great bunch of folk and I'm proud to know you.

Go with your God, Sam. You have touched many of us, some of whom only knew you briefly. Your maturity was beyond your years. You will be missed.

[justsomeguy]

My apologies too for not being able to come......

Enjoy your time off Flyin......

[RiderInBlack]

Thanks to all the KB'ers that made the funeral on behalf of those of us that were unable to make it. You have done all of us proud. Kia Kaha, Kia Mana KBers Today you have proved yourselves with honour

[Hitcher]

For those who are interested, this is the sonnet that the priest read in his sermon for Sam today. Apt. Very apt.

High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[SPman]

What RIB said.

[phantom]

Thanks to all the KB'ers that made the funeral on behalf of those of us that were unable to make it. You have done all of us proud. Kia Kaha, Kia Mana KBers Today you have proved yourselves with honour

Couldn't have said it better

Peace

[Sensei]

Well it was excellent meeting all the KB people toady even tho the reason was not the best . A big thanks to SlipStream for putting me up for the night & for WhiteTrash for the cuppa this morroning

Here are a few pics from today for those that could not make it . I'm glad I made the effort to ride down last night as the weather was Mint & so was the roads . Thanks to every one that helped make a Sad day as Good as it was

[matthewt]

Unfortunately I couldnt attend the funeral, but it looked awesome having all those bikes riding past work through tawa. I got it on video as everyone rode past.

I saw you there and wondered if you were a KB'er.

If you need some help getting the video online let me know.

[riffer]

Yeah, what they all said. An incredibly moving service, and that has to be the most welcome I have been made to feel as a biker for a long long time.

Like Hitcher, I found the eulogies particularly moving. And like MD, I too was amazed at the line of family and friends applauding us as we took off with the hearse.

The amount of respect shown by all today was inspiring. I had a conversation with Flyin's dad while Frosty and Bad Lieutenant were pulling my bike to pieces outside Whenua Tapu (another story, I'll let Frosty completely take the piss out of me for that one in another thread ) and he talked to me about how inspired he was by our turnout and how Flyin' would have been so stoked to see us all there. We shared a joke about how he would have been gutted the hearse was driving so slow...

Anyway, I was proud of you guys today. Made me feel really part of something.

[Zed]

For those who are interested, this is the sonnet that the priest read in his sermon for Sam today. Apt. Very apt.

High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Amen and amen.

I'm so glad everything went well today. An honourable goodbye.

[justsomeguy]

Amen and amen.

I'm so glad everything went well today. An honourable goodbye.

By such honourable people. I feel more respect towards KB'ers everyday.

[MadDuck]

I have to say I stayed right off the threads because I wasnt sure how Sams family would react and I also noted the uncertainties of fellow KBers. I too was worried it may become a parade so as to speak. RIP Sam we wont forget you.

11am and I went for a long long walk and thought about our community and bikes and what a passion we have for them in general and what friends we have made.