Today I watched 40 coffins being unloaded in Eindhoven Airport from an Royal Australian Air Force plane and a R Netherlands A F one. The first remains of victims of the shot-down Malaysian aircraft. The simple but respectful ceremony was an antidote to the images of disrespectful and disgusting throwing of bodybags in vans and lorries we've seen the last few days, not to mention the theft of personal belongings.

Martine ,I am also so sad for the families who have lost their loved one in this tragedy ,I see photos of the 3 young one from Perth here is Australia,plus their grandparents ,I just can not imagine what lift must be like for them right now , God bless you for your beautiful caring heart

These despicable people need to keep looking over their shoulders and remember that the world is watching . In New Zealand we only lost one soul but we are still united in grief.

My heart & prayers have been with all the famiies & countries that have lost loved ones. We had special prayer last night for them in our small group at prayer meeting. Sad, sad. But one day judgement will come. Too many lives being lost. Just so cruel.

Martine, I am so sorry! This certainly has affected the Netherlands far more than the USA in lives lost, so although I'm sure we are all sad at the senseless brutality of shooting down that plane and the loss of life, I can certainly understand how anger could be dominant. TV coverage here has not been so extensive, that I've seen at any rate. I have simply never understood the taking of innocent lives just to make a political or social point. I suppose I could understand the desire to hurt a person or people who hurt you, revenge, justice, whatever one might want to call it. But a plane load of people who could probably not even have known where they were, or what they died for? The world has become a crazy place indeed. I am so sorry for those lost, and for their families and friends, and for your beautiful country that now endures such tragedy. May God bless you all in this, somehow. Love, Marji

This just should NOT ever happen. I am so sorry for the loss of all these innocent people.

I understand! My heart and emotions go out to you Martine. Your folk are known to be the most content on Earth, that has certainly changed with recent events. You tact is admirable.

It is amazing to me, that instead of evolving into a kinder more civilized world. It seems like were going backwards.

I can understand the anger Martine. Such a heart wrenching episode as this, there are no words to express how one feels about it. The fact is when we step back and take a good look at it. It probably could happen any where in this world today.. There seems to be so little regard for life. In my heart I truly think it is only going to get worse as the years go by. Where is the respect for one another that we instilled in our children, the love of God, fellowman and country.? This question arises to the leaders in this world, in our Goverments, in our schools to all. I am seeing the 3rd generation now with no sense of right or wrong, no morals, it's always me, me me they are thinking of not others. I wonder what the future holds for the babies being born in this world at this time. Only God can answer this./Lillian

It is a shame that not everyone believes in respecting these unfortunate souls and treating them as they would expect their own loved ones to be treated.. As we watched the procession leaving your airport on the evening news our entire household shed tears for them and their families. To read your comment at the bottom of page how low do you have to go to use a victims credit card for your own gain.. I don't know what the world is coming to any more.. marian

so sad, so awful. Prayers for all victimes and all the ones that are left behind in this hard times, and in the difficult time that will follow. So many lives.....so much tragedy...so sad.....

We live in such a tragic and cruel world. My feelings go out to the families and what they must be going through.

This is a terrible tragedy and I hope the end results will hold someone or country accountable.

Martine, first of all let me say how sorry I am for the lose of all lives in this atrocity! What an extremely cowardice act of ignorance and violence against innocent victims. My heart goes out to those affected by this latest attempt to subjugate peoples to some fanatical factions way of thinking. This type of deed is only showing the world, how childishly immature, immoral, maniacally evil and manipulative people think they can be just to get their way. God Bless all the victims and their families, as well as the nations, airlines and people who honored this cortege around the world.

Yes Ma'am, definitely anger for their stupidity!!! I hope and pray the turmoil will stop, and so sad to have so many lives lost, and the fighting continues........ I wish it would stop.

So so sad,xx

Martine, this is such an unbelievable act of cowardice. I'm appalled at the inhumanity,shocked at the treatment of the deceased, and heart broken for the families and countries involved. None of this should have ever, ever happened.
I'm glad that your countries, Australia and Netherlands has shown such respect in honoring the victims today.

This is so sad and I feel for all the relatives that have to watch the total disregard. How can human beings act this way? I share your grief and your anger.

Martine this is one of those occasion in life that one is left speechless as to what has happened. So, so many have been affected and will be affected and I cannot start to imagine what it must be like in your country at the moment. My Dutch neighbour is away at the moment and I think he has returned to Holland. Thank you for your posting and making us aware. I have read the piece added to a comment lower down and it is appalling that personal effects have been removed like a credit card and someone stooped so low as to attempt to use it. My thoughts are with you and your country

All people in the world are sad and upset and no one can understand why innocent civilian people died. It is a tragedy

Just watched it here too Martine and my eyes are leaking!!!!!!! I feel so proud of the way in which this beautiful ceremony was done and at the same time feel such anger at the bombing of that aircraft full of innocent travellers.

I also pray that this NEVER happens again. Why can't we just live in peace?

Love Chris - my sympathies go out to your nation too Martine for the many losses of life.

1 comment

by sandralochran 23 Jul 2014

I also was watching -So sad -As I am in Toowoomba .Sad time for the town with the lost of a Doctor and his wife

very senseless, cruel, sad and inhumane... what the heck is our world coming to... so many innocents lost... no reason for such barbaric behavior... The world grieves.

I too, have many emotions regarding this tragedy, Martine.....am speechless beyond words at the horror that has happened to these people and their grieving loved ones........

Thank you for going and for telling us about it. It is always shocking when someone disregards the sanctity of life, whatever the circumstance or nationalities involved. Those doing the disrespecting also need our prayers - hard to do.

It is hard to believe people could do such things with no regard to life.

Hugs...this is devastating to me to even think of the atrocities done. I just cannot fathom the disregard and disrespect...

Senseless - and there is no excuse for what happened. If nothing else, they could have treated the precious bodies and the belongings with respect - but, again they didn't. I will never understand it. I haven't heard anything in the news of any remorse for what happened either. I truly feel for all the families and friends of these innocent victims. So very sad. Laura

5 comments

by mops 23 Jul 2014

A friend of my daughter lost her brother and his wife and three children. His credit card was used that same evening.

by basketkase 23 Jul 2014

Oh, Martine, how despicable!! There are no words for this disgusting act!

by pennifold edited 23 Jul 2014

That sort of dreadful, disrespectful act makes my blood boil!!!!! I hope the authorities stop at nothing to find out who did this. Love Chris

by flitter 23 Jul 2014

Today it seems that there is no low that some people won't sink to. There aren't enough adjectives to describe the abhorrent treatment of the victims remains and total disregard for their families. Totally mind boggling!!! I, too, watched the beautiful, respectful ceremony.

by gerryb 25 Jul 2014

Martine, I am afraid you have just put your finger on one of the problems...greed. I can not imagine how anyone can be so cruel! However, we know there's a judgement day coming.

There are no words to express my sentiments about this. Prayers for all the families, friends...anybody involved

Very well put! I am in total agreement with you.
Hugs, and prayers for the victims families,
Nadyne ( Canada )