Rector's address at funeral of Irish soldier

The Reverend Mike Roemmele, Rector of Macosquin in Derry diocese, gave the following address to day, December 4, at the funeral service of Ranger Aaron McCormick who was killed serving with the Royal Irish Regiment in Afghanistan.

The words of the reading we have just heard are amongst the most meaningful and powerful Jesus ever spoke. They speak of the nature of love, divine and human, its endurance, and its sacrificial quality as the gold standard of friendship. ‘Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ Such love is about loyalty discipline and service, fidelity, and productivity, and not least about knowing and loving and being known and loved in a deeply intimate and personal way. It is how Aaron was known and loved, by his family and friends and how he knew and loved those closest to him. It is also about God’s knowledge of him and his love for him.

The tributes written about Ranger Aaron McCormick show very clearly that he loved his role as a soldier passionately. He also loved his family and his many friends with a deep and enduring love. In turn he was deeply loved and respected by those who knew him as a professional soldier, both by those who held a higher rank and by his fellow Rangers. His commanding officer spoke of his pride in him and of the loss the regiment has suffered through his death. He wrote of Aaron’s courage, professionalism, enthusiasm, strength of character and good humour.

Major Humphries, his company commander, described Aaron as strong-willed, faithful, supportive of his juniors and his readiness to share his operational knowledge and experience with them; his role as ‘Vallon Man,’ seeking out potentially lethal explosive devices to ensure the safety of his comrades. Aaron had written to his mother only recently to ask her to send him some artists’ paint brushes. She wondered if he had developed an interest in art, unaware that he intended to use them to dust the ground gently, to expose hidden and potentially dangerous objects . It was performing that role, being a man who literally ‘cleared the way,’ that he died. Other tributes refer to Aaron as a giant among men, his unusual maturity, and his confidence. Some spoke of him as a man who was full of fun, good craic and of the enjoyment of his friendship in times they shared.

He was also a quiet individual, passionate about his work to ensure the safety of his comrades and the Afghan population. He was unceasing in his concern for others. He was a respected and integral part of his call-sign. His loss has created a void in his company which is felt deeply by all who knew him.

The English translation of his company motto is ‘Judge us by our deeds.’ The Regimental motto is ‘Clear the way.’ Ranger Aaron Mc Cormick lived and died as an exemplary soldier who fulfilled and exceeded the high expectation of both mottos. In serving his country; he also served the people of Afghanistan for whom he had great compassion. Judged by his deeds he did not fall short.

Today we honour him and express our pride in him.

In every aspect of his military life he was a pioneer who cleared the way that others might follow him. A fellow Ranger said, ‘May we continue the fight to ensure that his death was not in vain and his memory through us will live for ever, as we remember him as a true Irish Ranger and hero.’

The words of so many who knew him in the Regiment were endorsed by the Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox who wrote. ‘My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this tragic time. He will be remembered and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.’

Aaron was a credit to the British Army, to the nation, to Northern Ireland, Coleraine, his school and this village where he spent his childhood and adolescence and where many of his friends still live. A street collection in his memory raised over £1,500 for the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund, money which will be used to benefit serving and former members of the Regimental family and their dependents in times of need. Others who wish to honour Aaron’s memory in this way may do so as they leave the church today, by putting money in the plate at the door. There are also Gift Aid forms beside the plate. Other donations can be sent to Hugh Wade, the Funeral Director, at 3 Blindgate Street, Coleraine.

More than to any others, Aaron was a credit to the people who were nearest and dearest to him, his mother Maggie, father Leslie, brother Michael, sisters Tammy and Callie-Ann, Becky his girlfriend, and some very special friends, four of whom will speak shortly to pay personal tribute to him and introduce songs which I am told sum up his character. Today we grieve especially for them and with them, for their loss is the greatest and hardest to bear, as is the loss of all widows, parents and siblings whose husband, son or loved one has died in Afghanistan, and for whom the pain of grief is still raw.

Last week, a retired couple visited this church to pray for Aaron’s family and light a candle for Aaron. They came from Howth outside Dublin. They did so because their nephew had been killed in Afghanistan last August. They felt a bond with the McCormick family because they knew and understood their pain. They also know how much their personal faith has supported them in their own loss, and that somehow the presence of the shepherd of souls who walks with his people in the darkest times, has sustained them. Coming 150 miles to visit the church where Aaron’s funeral would take place to pray for his family gave them a moment of comfort and peace here, in the presence of the Good Shepherd, consoling them in their own personal loss. It is our prayer that all who are with us today at this service, or with us in spirit somewhere else, will also experience that same comforting presence of Christ, as they walk with us through what the Psalmist calls, ‘The valley of the shadow of death.’

The words of the 19^th century poet John Donne are profound:

‘No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less..’ He continued......‘Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.’

The cost of combatting Taliban terrorism in Afghanistan has been great in the numbers of military and civilian lives lost, and in the even greater numbers of physically and mentally injured.

Our service men and their families are paying the largest part of that price, but so also do we all.

Every death, every wounded individual, every bereaved family shares that cost on behalf of us. Each fatality and injury diminishes us as a nation and involves us individually. They also speak to us of the costliness of love in service and sacrifice, which Jesus referred to in our reading from St John’s Gospel, and is reflected in the hymns chosen for this service. The first, ‘God, as with silent hearts we bring to mind how hate and war diminish human kind’ reminds us profoundly of the world-wide cost of conflict and war. There is a poignant significance that among those who are involved in the ceremonial parts of today’s funeral are soldiers of Aaron’s Regiment from Malawi, South Africa, The Irish Republic and this Province.

The second hymn speaks of love and unlimited service to one’s country.

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted, the final sacrifice.

The hymn goes on to tell of the promise given to those who make such sacrifice by their loving faithful service

And there’s another country, I've heard of long ago,

most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

we may not count her armies, we may not see her King.

her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Like so many others who have served our Queen and country in Afghanistan, Aaron made that ultimate sacrifice. As we comfort one another today, amongst his friends and family, with others who knew and loved him in this life, may we also be comforted by the assurance of the Christian faith. Our faith speaks not only of the church militant on earth, but the church triumphant in heaven, promising, that there truly is another country, where those who have loved as Christ loved; those who demonstrated the greatest love of all by laying down their lives for their friends, will live eternally in the presence of the eternal sovereign. That Sovereign loves them with a deeper love than any human love. His is the country where we pray Aaron is now, and where the peace of God passes all human understanding. May Aaron’s life, his service and his death bear fruit that will last, by inspiring us all to a life of love and service. Amen.