Steve Irwin Dead!!!!

[Thuggishh_E]

Thousands Pay Tribute to Croc Hunter



The Crocoseum was bursting at the seams Wednesday morning in Australia as more than 5,000 people gathered to celebrate the life of conservationist, adventurer and devoted family man Steve Irwin.

Celebrities, public officials, fans--many of whom camped out last week to score tickets to the memorial--and, of course, the Crocodile Hunter's loved ones packed Irwin's Australia Zoo in Beerwah to pay tribute to the man whose trademark khaki garb, exuberant accent, and love and respect for some of the wildest, weirdest creatures out there made him an international star. Irwin was killed by a stringray Sept. 4 while filming a documentary near the Great Barrier Reef.


The service, which was also televised Tuesday evening on Animal Planet, the cable network Irwin helped put on the map, started off with a recorded message from Russell Crowe, and then Australian Prime Minister John Howard was the first to address the crowd.


"Your passing has suspended reality for all of us," Crowe said. "It was way too soon and completely unfair on all accounts. I know as humble as you always were, you would still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and people all over this planet have been grieving. We have lost a friend, a champion. It will take some time to adjust to that."


While Irwin's father, Bob, has emphasized in the past couple of weeks that his son would want to be remembered as an "ordinary bloke," the thousands of cheering fans who clapped appreciatively during the videos and speeches commemorating Irwin's onscreen and humanitarian accomplishments did not consider him in any way an average Joe.


"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way," Howard said onstage, where one seat remained empty except for Irwin's Australia Zoo cap placed atop it. "He did that because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life. Throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else -- his love of his family and his love of his country."


Three of Australia's major television networks aired the hour-long ceremony, while the flags on Sydney Harbor Bridge flew at half-staff. Giant TV screens showing the memorial were set up in Irwin's home state of Queensland, as well.


"Can I say to you Terri, to [his father] Bob and to [his two-year-old son] Bob and to Bindi and to all the other members of the Irwin family, we grieve with you but we celebrate this remarkable life," Howard said, "this life that projected Australia in such a robust open way to the rest of the world."


Clad in khaki, Irwin's widow, Terri, and eight-year-old daughter, Bindi, also sat onstage Wednesday, their first appearance in person since Irwin's death. A private funeral service was held Sept. 9.


"My daddy was my hero--he was always there for me when I needed him," Bindi said, prompting a standing ovation. "He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did?I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day."


Producer and longtime mate John Stainton gave Irwin some good ol' Down Under praise, calling him a "true, fair dinkum Aussie."


"Today I want to share with you the way he changed my life forever," Stainton, who along with Bob Irwin has been speaking on behalf of the family this month, said. "From the time we first met we clicked. The khaki-clad wildlife warrior and the city slicker became the best of friends over 20 odd years, and they were odd."


In a video montage entitled "He Changed Our World," featuring clips of Irwin communing with the wildlife he so adored and of notable personalities sharing their thoughts on the late Croc Hunter's contributions, Cameron Diaz emphasized Irwin's international appeal.


"America just flipped for him," the Charlie's Angels star said. "Every kid was in love with the idea of being him." Diaz's beau, Justin Timberlake, recalled spending a day with Irwin and his family, calling it "a day I'll never forget."


Another favorite Aussie son, Hugh Jackman, said: "Whether it's for the wilderness, whether it's for the animals, his family, whether it's for just the planet, or just life in itself, Steve showed us that we can live like warriors, and we can make the world a better place."


Kevin Costner called Irwin "fearless."


"He let us see who he was," the actor said. "That is being brave in today's society."


Talk show host Larry King talked about having Irwin on his show, saying it earned him major points with his young sons, Chance and Cannon. "I've interviewed presidents, kings and Oscar-winning movie stars," he said. "But once I talked to the real-life world famous Croc Hunter, well that made me a hero."

Australian country singer John Williamson was on hand to perform one of his signature folk songs, "True Blue," the Australian cricket team's anthem and one of Irwin's favorites. Children's entertainers The Wiggles also made an appearance.

"Please don't grieve for Steve--he's at peace now," Bob Irwin said, fighting back tears. "But I would like you to grieve for the animals--the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I."

Those closest to Irwin spoke at length about his most memorable qualities.

Discovery Networks executive VP Clark Bunting said that the first time he saw a rough video clip of Irwin's brand of enthusiastic derring-do, "I still remember thinking to myself, if this guy is for real we have to work with him."

"His passion, sincerity and knowledge were obvious."

Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion called his late best friend's enthusiasm "instantaneously infectious."

"His love and passion for wildlife was so enveloping that at the time I found it difficult to breathe?As the years have gone by I've watched Steve find the woman of his dreams, seen the world fall for Steve's enthusiastic love of wildlife...seen Australia Zoo become one of the best zoos in the world but by far Steve's greatest achievement has been as a dad.

"I'll miss you, mate."

Terri Irwin widow of Steve Irwin with her daughter Bindi & his best friend Wes Mannion

Bindi Irwin daughter of Steve Irwin reads out a speech about her father at a memorial service for him at Australia Zoo

[Alaw]

I am also a fan of Steve Irwins, another one of the millions that have fallen in love with that infectious "Crikey", and the wonderful man that refers to dangerous animals as if they were his own little babies. The day of his memorial service I was listening to the radio and hearing many stories about this great man, ones that made me want to keep listening to these stories, making me love and miss him more and more. Then I had the idea of compiling a book of these stories from people that have had personal and memorable time with Steve Irwin, for instance one lady was trying to change a flat tyre on a busy road and no one was stopping to help her...when a car finally pulled up it was Steve and he helped get her on her way. It is stories like this that I am wanting from everyone out there who have one to tell. Please email them to me at truebluestories@hotmail.com . Part of the proceeds for this book will be donated to The Wildlife Warriors.