Posted on 10/17/2007 5:25:39 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
THE brother of Trooper David Pearce says the slain soldier had wanted to go to Afghanistan, but urged mourners at his funeral not to forget his mates still there.
Prime Minister John Howard and Labor leader Kevin Rudd were among mourners today at the funeral for Trooper Pearce at St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane.
Trooper Pearce was killed by a roadside bomb while driving a light armoured vehicle in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province last week.
The 41-year-old father of two from the Gold Coast was posted to the Brisbane-based 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment in October 2006 and was serving with the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan when he died.
His older brother Edward told the packed cathedral today that Trooper Pearce had told him what to tell his family if he did not return from service.
"He said 'tell them I am not being sent, I want to go, I'm doing what I want to do'," he said.
Edward said his brother would not want his death to be "sensationalised, nor to have been in vain".
"Let us not lose sight of his mates who are still there ... overseas," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
These are very special people. We are grateful for them.
Tears, thanksgiving, and pride, while just reading about the funeral service. I can only imagine the emotions of Australians.
God has blessed us with wonderful people on this earth who see the need, and have the desire to do the things necessary for the well-being of us all. David Pearce was such a one. My heartfelt appreciation for his life, and prayers for his loved ones, and for all of those who sacrifice and serve. God bless them.
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