Funeral for soldier.

[Telori]

This is finally going to happen and apparently he didnt' commit suicide - let the poor bloke go in peace for christ sake.

That's not what this thread is about though...They are having the funeral with full gun shot salutes...if your loved one died in the military from being shot, would you really want to hear gun shots at his funeral?

They do the same with police officers and I just dont understand it. It would be the last thing I would want to hear.

[GINAinLA]

That is true Teena, I never thought about that. I am going to have to find out why.

If I died from a gunhot and was in the military, I sure wouldn't want a 21 gun salute done.

I want my funeral to be happy, and everyone dress in pretty colors.
That is how I did my grandma's "celebration of life".

[Naomi]

I think it's really poor form the way this whole tragedy was handled x( I hope his poor family get the answers they need, and are able to say goodbye to him properly now without all the kerfuffle that's been going on.

[mejane]

The gun salute is a traditional gesture of respect and reverence for the deceased by their peers. I don't have a problem with them.

[LizzyT]

It's actually only 7 shots and not 21..a uni friends brother was a soldier, came back from East Timor and was in a traffic accident which he died. His funeral was full military because he was still in the army. His casket came on the back of a cannon with a scottish piper.....it was a truly awesome experience....there were only 7 gunshots and they warned you before they did it. A very good friend of mine is the soldier who has organised this soldiers funeral and everyone from 3RAR is upset by what has happened.

[Luv Angel Musik Babee]

I think the send off they give cops and military people is great but in the case that this soldier died from a gunshot I wouldn't want to have them then, but I think it should be up to the family.

[LizzyT]

I think the thing with army, navy and airforce is that you can be married, have a family etc....but the force is part of your family too. I know with my Uni friend they had a lot of input, his was a cremation and they were given the Australian flag that was on his casket. It was pretty much like the "man off the street" type of funeral with songs etc...I think the army chaplain presided over it. Given the fact that this particular soldier was just that his family would know how involved the army would be.

[LizzyT]

I also think that if the army weren't involved the family would be kicking up a stink.

[mejane]

Yep, especially when he put his life on the line for his country. I'd be pretty pissed if there was no formal recognition of that.