Ramp Ceremony brings Tim back to Army family

LT O'Donnell, ramp ceremony
LT O'Donnell's ramp ceremony (OH10-0548-0005tn)

09 August 2010

The family of LT O’Donnell, the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and senior members of the Defence Force were present at Ohakea Air Force Base yesterday to welcome home Tim in a sombre ramp ceremony.

Fellow members of 2/1 RNZIR helped carry his casket from the C-130 Hercules which touched down at Ohakea just after four o’clock.

You could hear a penny drop as the onlookers stood in respectful silence awaiting the pall bearers to depart the Hercules.

The pall bearers followed by family and invited guests, passed through a 14-man honour guard, before the casket was laid in a waiting hearse.

Tim received a rousing haka from 1 RNZIR Maori Cultural Group as his casket was walked in slow march through the guard.

Local veterans and military personnel at the ceremony lined the road and saluted as the hearse drove past.

Tim will receive a full military funeral at Linton Military Camp on Wednesday.

ENDS


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