American Marine killed in Afghanistan repatriated to USA

The body of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan returned to a hero's welcome in Vermont Thursday 17th March, where his body was escorted by police from the Burlington International Airport to St. Johnsbury along roads lined with people paying their respects.

The Legislature recessed briefly on Thursday while the procession carrying the body of Cpl. Ian Muller, 22, of North Danville passed in front of the Statehouse while lawmakers watched.

A wake for Muller is scheduled for Friday in St. Johnsbury and the funeral is set for Saturday.

Muller was killed in combat March 11 in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. He joined the Marines in December 2007. Muller was a member of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Ranger who died fighting Taliban repatriated to UK

The body of a Royal Irish Regiment soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan is due to be repatriated back to the UK Thursday 17th March.

Lance Corporal Stephen McKee (27) from Banbridge died after his armoured vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device during an operation to disrupt the Taliban last Wednesday.

His remains are expected to be flown into RAF Lyneham later this afternoon.

L/Cpl McKee's widow Carley, his parents Heather and Bobby and other relatives are due to make the journey from their home to the Wiltshire airbase for a private ceremony.

They are also expected to join hundreds of people lining the streets of Wootton Bassett as the cortege passes through the market town on its way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Soldier and his dog arrive back in UK

Hundreds of mourners lined the main street of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, UK, to honour Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, who was shot while on patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 1st March. 

The crowds were swelled by family pets and a dozen Police and Prison Service dogs at the repatriation ceremony for the 26-year-old soldier, whose dog Theo died from a seizure three hours after his master was killed.

The body of L/Cpl Tasker, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, and the ashes of Theo had earlier been flown back to RAF Lyneham in the same aircraft.

L/Cpl Tasker was the subject of the repatriation ceremony but Theo’s ashes will be presented in private to his family.

Read more at The Telegraph