Posted on 11/02/2007 6:10:23 PM PDT by naturalman1975
A LONE piper played Amazing Grace as SAS hero Sgt Matthew Locke was laid to rest in Perth yesterday.
Hundreds of mourners joined Sgt Locke's wife Leigh and son Keegan to farewell the fallen Digger, killed by a sniper in Afghanistan last week.
John Howard and Kevin Rudd suspended their election campaigns to attend the military funeral, the second time they have done so in the past three weeks.
The service followed that of slain Light Horseman Trooper David Pearce in the first week of the campaign, who was also killed in Afghanistan.
Sgt Locke's body was borne to Perth's Karrakatta Cemetery in a black hearse, an Australian flag and a bouquet of white roses sitting atop his casket. Behind were two black limousines bearing his distraught family.
His SAS comrades -- hard men in uniform and others in dark suits and sunglasses -- formed a solemn line to one side of the cemetery entrance.
Opposite was a line of year 7 students, school mates of Sgt Locke's son.
Mr Howard was accompanied by his wife, Janette, and Mr Rudd by his wife, Therese Rein.
Governor-General Michael Jeffery -- himself a former SAS commander -- also attended, along with all the military's top brass, including defence force head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, chief of the army Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, and special operations commander Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh.
The Australian Army Band played Lili Marlene -- the SAS slow march -- as the funeral procession made its way into the cemetery.
In a moving tribute, Keegan read a poem he had written about his dad several months ago for a school project. It was entitled, simply, Hero.
Sgt Locke's wife Leigh also made an emotional reading, while musician John Williamson performed his Australian anthem, True Blue.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
My son spent last Saturday - one of his few Saturday's home from boarding school, and free of school commitments, and therefore very precious time to him - putting together the following image of Sgt. Locke's decorations as a tribute to him.
I'm so proud of this boy. I'm so proud that he gets it.
"I gave up one day for him. He gave up every day for me.
God Bless him and all out roops in harms way no matter what nation.
To the faithful departed Sgt Locke.
Thank Sgt Locke. Thank you. And thank all our Australian brothers.
OZ steps up to the plate and gives up her very best. Hand salute.
Regards
There was another Matthew Locke that served the Continental Army as a General and commanded the Continental troops at the Battle of King's Mountain. He later became a Senator from North Carolina. He was my GGGG Uncle and he was Senator Elizabeth Dole's GGGG Uncle also. As long as there are Lockes in the world, there will be Matthew Lockes, and most of them serve their country with honor.
You are doing an amazing job of raising your son - God bless you.
And Gob bless Sgt Matthew Locke and may he forever rest in peace. Thank you Sgt so very very much.
You have good reason to be proud of your son,naturalman.There are far too many people in the West who don't understand that freedom comes with a very steep pricetag.My prayers go to Sgt Locke and his loved ones.
The coffin bearing Sergeant Matthew Locke returns from Afghanistan.
May both of these fine young men be remembered and revered always.
Amen. To Sgt. Locke and all our Aussie brothers: Many thanks for the many times you’ve joined with us in a ruckus. Have one on me.
Rest easy, Digger Locke
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