‘OVER 100 people turned up to the funeral of a man they never knew – to make sure the former Marine was not buried without mourners.
James “Jimmy” McConnell, who was in his eighties and recently suffered a stroke, died of a chest infection after spending his last days at a care home in Southsea, Hants.
With no known relatives to give him a good send-off, care home staff feared he would be buried with nobody but them in attendance.
But after a rallying cry went around social networking sites, scores of people who had never even met him turned up.
Mourners included veterans, members of the military and care workers – and some came from as far as 140 miles away.
Two buglers from the Royal Marines band service played the Last Post as the plain, wooden coffin was lowered into the ground.
Richie Puttock, operations manager for the Royal Marines Association, said the appeal had “pricked the consciences” of many serving and former marines who were determined to ensure a former comrade in arms was buried with respect.
“Every other royal marine is your brother and will be until the day you die. So although he didn’t have blood family, that didn’t mean he didn’t have another family,” Puttock told AFP. source
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.”
CrusaderRabbit
I don’t know whether this give me hope or makes me sad. Hope that there are still people like this around. Sadness that they may disappear forever.
I don’t believe they’ll disappear, Elijah. Even in the worst of situations there are still bright spots where people show the most amazing kindness.
Feel good story of the week , rest in peace mate ,Thanks KG.
We need a few such stories, George. There are still a great many honourable, decent people out there and it’s easy to lose sight of that sometimes.
The good people still out number the evil bastards , but the evil’s are catching, up thanks to the leftist filth that roam our planet
Yes indeed.
R.I.P. Jimmy McConnell
Speaking as an ex-Royal Marine I can assure you that once you have become part of that remarkable family you remain part of it forever. I did not hear about this funeral in advance as I don’t do Facebook but had I done so I would have been there if I could – Per Mare Per Terram.
Seneca III