Vale Graham McHarg
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sydney NSW
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Vale Graham McHarg
G'day
I'd like to address this in the first instance to 216Sqn, ASI movers and to the RAF/RAAF at large.
ASI lost in untimely fashion a well-loved fiery. As is always the case the movers respond and gave him an honour guard. With his fire service colleagues as bearers, every fire engine on the island to escort him and Father Clive to give a very dignified service we had a moving farewell at the airhead accompanied musically by a piper in full dress.
It was a splendid turnout, of service people obviously and contractors but a goodly number of Saints and a sprinkling of holidaymakers who were overcome at such a tragedy in the midst of their carefree vacation.
I took a last glimpse of the T* departure from Command Hill and consequently missed the island flypast. If we had all borne up under the sadness of the event and the plaintive appeal of the pipes, that flypast unstiffened all upper lips. Let me assure you that by the time I got up to Two Boats Terrace from Command Hill all steely resolve to be strong had gone.
To that lone T* you were saluted for the gracious courtesy of that act, a simple circle in respect for a good and kind young man who will see his native Scotland and family no more and is deeply missed by everybody on the ASI he loved and took so much part in, irrepressibly and 100%.
In the whole context of what the armed forces and 216 Sqn as an example do it was a poweful reminder of many things.
I would indeed like to meet the captain and any of the crew to thank them and pass on the thanks too from all of us - service people, contractors, holidaymakers and Saints - who were deeply touched.
On behalf of everbody, thank you most deeply and bless you
The E and KO Sally
I'd like to address this in the first instance to 216Sqn, ASI movers and to the RAF/RAAF at large.
ASI lost in untimely fashion a well-loved fiery. As is always the case the movers respond and gave him an honour guard. With his fire service colleagues as bearers, every fire engine on the island to escort him and Father Clive to give a very dignified service we had a moving farewell at the airhead accompanied musically by a piper in full dress.
It was a splendid turnout, of service people obviously and contractors but a goodly number of Saints and a sprinkling of holidaymakers who were overcome at such a tragedy in the midst of their carefree vacation.
I took a last glimpse of the T* departure from Command Hill and consequently missed the island flypast. If we had all borne up under the sadness of the event and the plaintive appeal of the pipes, that flypast unstiffened all upper lips. Let me assure you that by the time I got up to Two Boats Terrace from Command Hill all steely resolve to be strong had gone.
To that lone T* you were saluted for the gracious courtesy of that act, a simple circle in respect for a good and kind young man who will see his native Scotland and family no more and is deeply missed by everybody on the ASI he loved and took so much part in, irrepressibly and 100%.
In the whole context of what the armed forces and 216 Sqn as an example do it was a poweful reminder of many things.
I would indeed like to meet the captain and any of the crew to thank them and pass on the thanks too from all of us - service people, contractors, holidaymakers and Saints - who were deeply touched.
On behalf of everbody, thank you most deeply and bless you
The E and KO Sally
