Today

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/worl...=2&objectid=10824740

Always sad to hear of young men dying. They oughta make it a law that you have to be old to fight. Be a lot less war, I think.

Hope Mr Key,doesn't go soft and pull the troops out.

Freedom isn't free

Sympathies to all concerned.

It is tough on families when a life is lost and especially when serving thier country. Taking nothing away from the sad fact of the loss is the reality that they are in a war zone with those who want, and try, to kill them, every chance they get. We have, as a country lost 7 young men from the time we have been 'in country' and if you really think about it that, is not a high body count but for all that, it has been made as high as it has been, for all the western forces, because of the life costing "rules of engagment" that the touchy-feely liberals have forced on those in harm's way. On the 'wasted endevour' side of the ledger, it will all be for nothing in the end, because as soon as the western group of militaries leave, as they all intend to do in the next short while, then the local populations will go back to the same way of tribal and islamic faction led dominance, repression and blood letting they have practiced and honed to brutal effectivness over the centuries.

Disgraceful
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/poli...80&objectid=10825899

Yes and no, although I would have thought something could have been moved to do both.

I noticed here in Aus that the PM hasn't always been their and neither has the CDF et al. If they are out of the country or on leave etc they are out of the country.

I don't think they can win.

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Deputy PM will be there I believe.

That place should have been turned into a field of green glass long ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Von Gruff:
Deputy PM will be there I believe.

Yes, same occurs here in Aus, Deputy PM and Deputy CDF attend.

Put it this way, if the PM and Opposition leaders aren't there, I'd bloody well expect the deputies to be there (and no lower).


For those who don't know, CDF = Commander Defence Force

My brothers two sons both enlisted a few months ago.

One of my classmates told me it was Bush's policy that a GO or flag officer attend every funeral. At the time, he was stationed at Offutt AFB in Nebraska; he said the 3 star GO there attended many, many funerals.

There was a good movie made about a US Marine officer that escorted a Marine's body home. It is a true story, to include the flight attendant who gave LTC Mike Strobel a crucifix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qMHHsl0nt0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...EHXo&feature=related

I watch the video of the ramp ceremony the other day. Very smick. Loved the Haka that was done
as the coffins past.


Re Flag Officer / Bush era, yes, I think you must be right as always seem to be one there and the US is so large it would need to be organised.


Most impressive burial I have seen was the SEAL Sailors burial where the other SEAL's hammered their tridents into the coffin in a very impromptu display.

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Sadly three more New Zealand soldiers were killed last night.

With one beinbg the first female soldier killed.



http://tvnz.co.nz/national-new...us-explosion-5033892