Family, friends farewell Jared MacKinney

Family, friends farewell Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney

A father whose little princess could do no wrong, a loving and devoted husband eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first son, and a professional soldier who would do anything for his mates. These were just some of the memories of Jared MacKinney whose life was celebrated by family and friends at a military funeral in Brisbane today.

Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney lost his life in a contact with insurgents during a patrol in the Deh Rawud region of Afghanistan while serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1).

His service in the Ashgrove Baptist Church was attended by Prime Minister, Julia Gillard; Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott; Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner; Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Bob Baldwin; Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt; Premier of Queensland, Ms Anna Bligh; Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie.

A group of 50 uniformed policemen from the Sunshine Coast attended the service, honouring the memory of Jared and supporting their colleague, Jared’s father-in-law, David Smallbone.

As the music of Faith Hill’s ‘There You’ll Be’ filled the church, images of Jared’s life appeared on the big screen, showing a cheeky grin, his love for his wife Beckie and daughter Annabell, and the proud and professional soldier.

Brigadier Paul McLachlan, Commander of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade, explained to the congregation that Jared MacKinney died fighting alongside his mates and members of the Afghan National Army, honouring his responsibilities to his men by leading them from the front and protecting them in battle.

“All who knew ‘Crash’ well would expect nothing less of him, they know he could never let his mates down.

“He was a soldier’s soldier and despite the imminent dangers, wild horses could not have turned him into a spectator on this day,” Brigadier McLachlan said.

Beckie MacKinney’s father, David Smallbone, recalled Jared’s loves – his bikes, four-wheel-driving, the Army and, most of all, his love for Beckie and Annabell.

“At home Jared knew a happy wife is a happy life.”

Brigadier McLachlan then spoke directly to the troops, Jared’s mates, in the congregation.

“It’s okay to be sad, fellas, but hold your heads high and be proud – that’s what Jared would have wanted,” he said.

Kelly Tindal read a message from her partner, Corporal Adam Marsh, who is still serving in Afghanistan. The message read that Jared was one of the best infantry soldiers he had ever served with.

“I’ve never felt so much pain in my life knowing I’ll never see him again.”

In an emotional eulogy Lance Corporal Craig Gresham told Jared: “rest now, mate, you’ve done your work here and we’ll never ever forget you.”

Following the haunting Last Post and Ode, Jared’s coffin was carried from the church by a bearer party and placed on the gun carriage. Led by a drummer and lone piper Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney passed through an honour guard composed of his mates and colleagues from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), and uniformed Queensland Police Service members. A firing party saluted the passing coffin with three volleys.

After the service Jared’s widow, Beckie MacKinney, issued a statement thanking the many people who had helped their families through the dark times of the past few days.

“On behalf of our families I would like to very sincerely thank them for their best wishes and generous support. I would like you to know that it made a very real difference.

“We have reached the deepest depths of despair since we were told of Jared’s death, but we have also been helped and comforted by the support and extraordinary generosity of spirit of old friends, new friends, and strangers who cared,” she said.

Imagery will be available from:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Sep/20100910/index.htm

ENDS

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