My dad, my hero (Pass the tissues ALERT!!!)

Herald Sun ^ | 20 September 2006

[fortunecookie]

Anybody get through this without crying?

Not me. I didn't make it through Russell Crowe's intro. I just heard Bindi read her tribute, she did so well. I loved her finger following the lines to keep her place. Thanks for posting, I thought the tribute was airing on Wed here, I might have missed it. It just started at 9pm edt on the Animal Channel. What a lovely tribute.

[Aussie Dasher]

Stick around til they load his truck. That fixed me up!

[fortunecookie]

Oh dear heavens, watching it now. Through tears. I loved the whole crowd singing the gum tree song, especially the zoo guys. And Russell Crowe's parting comments, very touching. I think Steve would approve of the whole service.

I wondered, I don't remember if they mentioned a church when they held the funeral, was he a member of a church?

[vetvetdoug]

I'm crying as I type. Loading his truck was the most. Irwin was to me a hero. As a veterinarian, I could appreciate what he did for animals and his enthusiasm while working with them. As a father of an 8 year old daughter, I have empathy.

[mom4kittys]

The gum tree song must be a well known Aussie ballad--everyone was singing

[Aussie Dasher]

That I don't know.

The funeral itself was intensely private.

[Aussie Dasher]

Even I was singing with them!

[mom4kittys]

great song!

[CedarDave]

In a world of environmental activists, Steve was an active environmentalist.

I disagree. Someone on another thread said he should more correctly be referred to as an conservationist, and I concur. He understood the place of wildlife in the world and the importance of conserving wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. But he didn't place nature above man and at the expense of man as so many over zealous environmentalists do.

[Criminal Number 18F]

In a world of environmental activists, Steve was an active environmentalist.

That just deserved repeating, Ivan.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[fortunecookie]

The funeral itself was intensely private.

Well, as it should be. There was mention of a funeral home, but not of any church service. I was just curious.

I'm really glad they agreed to a memorial service, televised. As I said, I'm glad you posted, because I would have missed it. I heard it was Wednesday night. Maybe they will be reairing it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Not me.....*sniff* Thanks for the post.

[CrazyIvan]

"In a world of environmental activists, Steve was an active environmentalist.

I disagree. Someone on another thread said he should more correctly be referred to as an conservationist, and I concur. He understood the place of wildlife in the world and the importance of conserving wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. But he didn't place nature above man and at the expense of man as so many over zealous environmentalists do."

I would agree with you that "conservationist" is a better term for the qualities that we're looking for here. I still manage a small wildlife refuge that my grandfather built back in the fifties. He also was using low and no till farming techniques when you were considered a nut for doing so. He considered himself a conservationist. The word "environmentalist" has definitely been hijacked by the extremists, but it's original meaning is similar.

[Rte66]

Not me, and I didn't even watch it. I cried through the thread of reports of people watching it!

I don't have cable or even video on this puter, but loved looking through the screen caps and know I will see video clips tomorrow. Will watch for Bindi every chance I get.

[ladyinred]

Not me. I was sobbing. Russell Crow even made me cry more! Touching and fit for Irwin, but his little girl just was phenomenal.

[Aussie Dasher]

Did you get through the Steve's truck leaving? That really got to me.