JAMIE'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Bike escort

The funeral ceremony will take place on Saturday, 21 November 2009 at 11hoo at the Monavoni Church, c/o Theron & von Willich Roads, Monavoni Centurion. (S25 52.514 E28 05.846)

The family has requested that BMW Motorcycle Club Pretoria South Africa do the necessary arrangements for a bikers' escort and that all other groupings fall in to these.

This thread will henceforth be the official medium to publicise any information.

An urgent request NOT to post to this thread as only official information will be published by me the 'S' (roads) ride captain, Johan Maree. Pse email me at johan@maree.co.za to inform me about your group/club's participation. Any posts to this thread except for official announcements by me will be deleted. Please refer condolences etc to the R.I.P thread.


Preliminary arrangements:

First assembly of partaking bikers: Saturday 21 Nov at 09h30 for 10h00. Atterbury Shell (S25 46.546 E28 16.163)

Atterbury Road next to Dros Restaurant near the Menlyn/N1 offramp. Opposite side of the N1 from Menlyn Mall.
The group will leave 10h00 sharp and ride two deep via the N1/N14 to the church in Monavoni to arrive at 10h30.
Bikers going direct to the church are requested to park at least half a block away from the premises in order for the group to position itself correctly. The others can then fill in


Bikers' escort to the cemetery:

The family has requested that a bikers' escort be conducted from the church to the cemetery, about 2km by road. At the entrance to the cemetery the bikers will assemble close-up for a final salute; This is when, at the drop of the ride leader's white flag all engines rev for a few seconds, and at the next flag wave kill all engines instantly, with dead silence afterwards when the procession and family will proceed towards the last resting place. We will respect their privacy from there-on and make a quiet departure.

More detail later


18 November: I will be doing a recce tomorrow and report back on detail arrangements. Thus far nothing has changed from the above

18 November: I will be doing a recce tomorrow and report back on detail arrangements. Thus far nothing has changed from the above

Dear All

Herewith the final arrangements:


Assembly at Atterbury Shell: S25 46.546 E28 16.163

09h30 for 10h00 There will be a briefing which is quite important for everybody to hear as we do not have an opportunity for rehearsals. We will depart in double file along the N1/N14 to the church. Some groups will file in to the group along the way. It is important that we stay in one group and keep our positions. There is no sense in trying to be in front, we will all be bundled together when the time comes. Respect other road users en route. 26km and 30 minutes moderate riding.

Arriving at the church we park as we arrive, but then do it in 4 wide on the paving, behind me. Reason being to take up the least space as possible but still be ready to move out orderly after the memorial service. We believe there will be more than 100 bikes on the day and discipline is important. We will be arriving minutes before the ceremony starts.

Other bikers that's going to the church directly please wait outside for the escort to arrive. As per the request above.

Please be quiet, no revving. You will get your chance later.
Take your seats in the church but allow space for family and close friends in front.

In the church I will give a short briefing again


After the memorial service: The escort

Bikers move to their bikes and do not start. Only when the hearse is ready to roll and all other cage riders are comfortable at their vehicles do we start and ride out, again in double file at a slow pace to the cemetery. Pse take note this is where accidents happen because all of us want to see what's happening behind and in front. The distance to the cemetery is about 2km


At the cemetery:

As we enter the gates at the cemetery (we are now going in and not staying outside) you will see a double lane tarred road. We take the left lane and slowly proceed past the graves to the end of the road where there is a circle/roundabout. There we will turn and come back in the adjacent lane.
I will park my bike at the correct position diagonally to the road. Then one behind me and the other next to me and so on. We will fill the roadway orderly. Kill your engines.
We may have to wait a few minutes for everybody, cagers too, to park and walk closer. The hearse will be ready at its position. Everybody will then be waiting for us.

The final salute:

I will try to position myself where everybody can see me. I'm the tall guy but sometimes not tall enough... You will see me holding a white flag.

When I lift the flag over my head is the sign to start your bikes in idling mode.

The moment I drop the flag you rev the engines moderately and safely for about 5 seconds.

I will lift the flag again as a sign the end is near, don't stop revving.

When I wave the flag in fast mode you kill your engines dead and stand still. Not a single rev afterwards. This is the time where some idiot usually tries to be funny...

You are then free to join the congregation or keep your distance.

This is not the time to take your bike out. Let's wait for the final farewells to a great friend and partner...

See you there in great numbers! This is what Jamie always wanted

Dear All.

Thank you for a very emotional experience in our last farewells to Jamie.

You all were great!!!

We counted Jean & Jacques's two bikes, 79 visiting bikes and 6 Metro Police Beemers.



This pic en route to the church from Atterbury Shell. Note the cages at the back. Metro closed the highway for us. Thank you guys, you were doing splendidly!





This thread is now open for everybody to post their pics, tears and stories.

Have also taken a few pics - will upload during the course of the afternoon. Thought it was more bikes - nevertheless - given the crappy wheather - an excellent turn-out.

The 'boys in blue' who did a sterling job


Jean & Jacques escorting the hearse to the gravesite

Emotional indeed ... Jamie, enjoy where you are now! I saw lotsa people that cared for your today.

Jean & Jacques that must have been the most difficult ride you ever had. To the Rossouw's, you are in our prayers.

.

Moving moments indeed...
A fitting tribute to a much admired and respected member of our club.
Thank you all for your support and attendance.

From myself, Jacques, Jean, Vanessa and the rest of the Rossouw family I would like to specially thank Dave, Johan, the BMW Club members, all other riders and the Tshwane Metro for an excellent procession. Everybody that attended the funeral cannot stop talking about it. It was indeed very special to all of us. I have no doubt that Jamie was smiling down in appreciation at every single one that made an effort to be there. As a club member I want to extend my gratitude toward everybody who loved and cared for him, you truly enriched his life. Ride safe ..... my friends....

Mermaid wrote:From myself, Jacques, Jean, Vanessa and the rest of the Rossouw family ....

The Rossouw family, thank you for allowing us to participate in the proceedings, it was a real blessing. Ina and I never knew that you and Jamie were such great singers

Tshwane Metro, you were amazing! I never knew that a procession as long as the one we were in and for the distance that we travelled, especially on the highway, could run this smooth! You set a standard that will be difficult for others to achieve. I don't know who arranged for you to take control of the protection of the riders, but that was a brilliant idea.

Johan, thank you for all your arrangements, briefing and leadership. We all knew exactly what do and when to do it. Well done .

Stienie and family

It was a priviledge to say goodbye to our dear friend. I was not prepared for how hard yesterday was going to be. Through hardship though we gain understanding and despite everything, I was humbled by the love shown to a great man.

Thank you for allowing us to share this day with you and to be there to support you in our small way. Although I will never forget the funeral, more importantly I will never forget the life we were there to celebrate.

All the best
Paul, Lizell and Keill

morpheus wrote:Stienie and family

Thank you for allowing us to share this day with you and to be there to support you in our small way. Although I will never forget the funeral, more importantly I will never forget the life we were there to celebrate.

+ 1

Wahl wrote:

morpheus wrote:Stienie and family

Thank you for allowing us to share this day with you and to be there to support you in our small way. Although I will never forget the funeral, more importantly I will never forget the life we were there to celebrate.

+ 1

+1

Jean & Jacques your father would have been very proud of you.

The funeral, although very sad, was a beautiful tribute to Jamie.
Must comment on the funeral Hymn sheet - beautiful photos of celebration of Jamie's life.

Wonderful to see the support and love from friends, family and members of the BMW club.

Dave, Thank-you for your tribute to Jamie.

Johan, a well organised and executed ride to the funeral. I was very proud to be a member of this club.

To the Metro Police, Thank-you for your support. The ride was a pleasure thanks to you guys.

Stienie, Jean, Jacques and Vanessa you are in our hearts and prayers.
Hope you guys continue to join us at the noggins and club rides when you are ready to do so.
You saw the club's support at the funeral. Should you need ANYTHING, please just ask !!

Stienie and family,
My two children, son 19 and daughter 22 recently told me that the best thing I did this year was to join the BMW club. On Saturday I experienced the wisdom of my two siblings. It was a privilege and honour to be there to pay the last tribute and respects to Jamie. Dave, Johan thanks’ for your tribute and assistance with the ride. The Metro guys thanks for the sterling job and the respectful manner in which you did what you had to. A day never to be forgotten.

LT Frik

Thank you, Stienie and family, for the opportunity to attend Jamie's final resting place. We know the most important part of Jamie is in the presence of his Heavenly Father. There lies the comfort.

Johan and Dave, thanks for the well organised ride and very moving and emotional eulogy.

The Metro cops did a wonderful job of keeping the cages at bay, first time we actually felt 'Safe' on the highway!!

We also hope that the Rossouw clan will not be strangers to the BMW club, they would be sorely missed.

Was really a special day and ride. That bit on the highway was spectacular, I'm sure a lot of people felt as emotional as I did.

Some of us have been talking, must do a special Jamie memorial run early next year, particularly with Stienie.

I will also go and plant a special geocache as a tribute, will let you know when it is done.

And lastly, well done to Johan and Dave!

DaveS wrote:

Wahl wrote:

morpheus wrote:Stienie and family

Thank you for allowing us to share this day with you and to be there to support you in our small way. Although I will never forget the funeral, more importantly I will never forget the life we were there to celebrate.

+ 1

+1

+2

Dear Stienie, Jacques, Jean and Vanessa

Never were our hearts so touched by the unity of love, respect and honour as with this funeral. Much greater, however was the privilege for us as his friends, to have lived our respect towards Jaime whilst he was alive. And this is how he will continue to be in our hearts and memories- alive.

Yet, behind a great man like Jaime is his family. Greatness comes in unity and we are honoured to know the Rossouw family. We were in awe of Jaime's sons and the responsibility that they have shown in taking charge of the funeral and in caring for their mother and sister. What a great example Jaime has been to them!

To everyone who came to show their respects, thank you.

Stienie, know that we love you, as always and stand by you.

Love, Chris and Golda

Dave, Johan and all our biker-brothers and sisters

In trying to find comfort in our sorrow, just a great big thank you to all who attended Jaime's funeral.

When Johan raised the flag and the bikers poured out their love. loss and tears in the revving of the bikes, we thought our hearts would break. It was truly too much to bear....

Thank you, thank you to all who attended...

Chris and Golda

The salute, “revving of the bikes” has anybody recorded this, would be great to share with friend & family

(PC)2E wrote:The salute, “revving of the bikes” has anybody recorded this, would be great to share with friend & family

I have heard there is one or two copies - have asked for it to be posted - waiting patiently!!

Ek het dit op video sowel as die twee seuns wat die lykswa in die begraafplaas inlei.
Weet nie hoe om dit te "post" nie, maar TJ is later terug dan kan hy dit doen.