Not Sure if this goes here. Guess it's as good a place as any. Feel free to move it. Haven't put it under TAPS as he isn't one of yours, but we have lost a good friend and colleague:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...1-2862,00.html
Ceremony to be held for Private Gregory Michael Sher at Tullamarine
Article from: AAP
AAP
January 09, 2009 04:55pm
FAMILY and friends of the latest Australian soldier to die in Afghanistan, Gregory Sher, have received his body in a ceremony.
Soldiers from Sydney's 1st Commando Regiment, the part-time unit in which Private Sher served, formed an honour guard and bearer party to receive and carry his casket from an RAAF C-17 aircraft to his waiting family.
It was the first chance his family had to pay their respects to him since he was killed early on Sunday evening.
Pte Sher, a member of the Australian Special Operations Task Group, was killed when an insurgent's rocket landed in a remote base in Oruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, where he and other members were operating.
Defence personnel, including Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, Opposition defence spokesman Bob Baldwin, Acting Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General David Hurley and the Commanding Officer of the 1st Commando Regiment also attended the ramp ceremony.
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie and the Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan, paid tribute to the reservist soldier on behalf of the Australia Army.
"We in the Army extend our deepest sympathies to Greg's family during this very difficult and emotional time," Lt Gen Gillespie said.
"Greg was a dedicated, passionate and well respected soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our nation.
"We strongly support his family, his friends, his unit and the wider Army who are mourning his loss."
Major General McOwan said Pte Sher, 30, was a remarkable man who took pride in his work and who others looked up to.
"Greg epitomised the characteristics all soldiers strive for. He was brave, loyal and determined," he said.
"Greg was a quiet achiever who never sought praise or recognition for his work.
"He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed."
Pte Sher was the eighth Australian Defence Force soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002 but the first to be killed as a result of indirect fire.
His funeral is scheduled for Sunday, to be conducted in accordance with Jewish custom. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to attend.
Pte Sher leaves behind his parents, two brothers and a partner, who are receiving support from the defence department.
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