Graeme Hogan wrote:

R.I.P.

The bodies of the personnel killed in the crash of 'Shark 02" were
returned to Australia today (Tuesday). There was a brief ceremony on
their arrival at RAAF Richmond, near Sydney, in which the President of
Indonesia presented each deceased member with the Indonesian Medal of
Valour, the highest award they have. The medal was placed on each coffin
on a velvet cushion.
The Prime Minister accomanied him as he made the presentations.
The Governor General, accompanied by the Prime Minister then placed a
sprig of wattle on each coffin.
The Chief of the Air Force and the Chief of the Navy then removed the
cushions with the medals from the coffins and presented them to the
families of the deceased. The bodies were then taken to the Glebe
morgue as part of the several enquiries into the accident. They will be
released to the families in about 3 days for funeral services. The
Defence Forces have offered military funerals with full honours for the
deceased memebers, however the families may choose to have private
ceremonies if they prefer.
The 2 survivors of the crash are on their way back to Australia for
further treatment. They were pulled from the wreckage by an Indonesian
civilian just before it burst into flames.


The CO