Posted on 01/20/2008 5:09:56 PM PST by naturalman1975
THE body of New Zealand explorer and Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary is lying in state today following a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony in Auckland.
As the hearse pulled into the forecourt this morning, Lady Hillary emerged from Holy Trinity Cathedral surrounded by family members, including Sir Ed's son Peter Hillary.
Sir Edmund, the first person along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay to climb the world's highest peak in 1953, died of heart failure on January 11 at the age of 88.
His funeral will be held tomorrow.
New Zealand defence force personnel acted as pallbearers as about 100 members of the public watched on, the New Zealand Press Association reported.
The casket, draped with the New Zealand flag, was taken into the cathedral as members of the Ngati Whatua tribe performed a powhiri, or welcoming ritual.
Among those in the official party outside the cathedral were Governor-General Anand Satyanand and his wife, Prime Minister Helen Clark and her husband, cabinet ministers and party leaders.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
didn’t hillary claim his heritage and name a little while ago?
Did Hillary go to his funeral?
BOY didn’t take long yeah that question I was going ask
Is Hillary Clinton going to funeral
MAN Freepers you are on the money today
I understand the jokes being made, but for the record, the United States is to be officially represented at Hillary’s state funeral by Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Everest.
You may not have heard the recent clinton lie where she claimed to be related to him and that this uncommon valor ran in her family.
Pure lies.
Did she really say that?
Since he was given a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, will his family also be giving a traditional Maori wake?
Yes, I have heard about some of her claims. As I say, I do understand the jokes.
If they are, I wish I could be there!
Godspeed to the passing of an era.
What is a traditional Maori wake like?
One of the features is that the Guest of Honour is present in an open coffin.
It lasts a couple of days, and today, there are a mix of traditional ceremonies, and something approaching a party - often a very boisterous party, where the deceased is remembered.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen NZ military wear before. Those hats look like our park ranger or drill instructor wear. Very different from the ‘Digger’ hat Australians wear. Sorry, I’m a uniform fetishist!
Best of regards for the memory of Sir Edmund. His character and achievement will continue to set an example for all of us in the years to come.
Actually, the Hunt expedition (of which Hillary and Tenzing were part) did use oxygen, and they both used open circuit masks on their successful ascent. The first ascent without oxygen was made by Messner and Habeler in 1978.
Sounds interesting!
Thanks for the information.
I misread the title as “Body of Hillary lies in state”
Needless to say, I was disappointed...
Source?
I always appreciate little information sidebars!
Leni
In 1947 Hillary was an unknown bee keeper.
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