Soldier’s best friend honors his wish, shows up to funeral in neon drag

Private Kevin Elliott, 24, a Black Watch soldier, was killed in Afghanistan on August 31st.

Elliott and his best mate, Barry Delaney, had a pact. Whichever one survived the other would attend his friend’s funeral in drag. And true to his word, Delaney showed up to the fallen soldier’s burial in shocking neon drag. A heartbreaking picture (above) shows Delaney mourning at Elliott’s graveside. Delaney said:

“Kev was like my brother – we would have done anything for each other.

“I received a letter from him two days before he died and it’s a bit smudged from my tears, as I’ve been re-reading it that often.

“We loved to go out and party but we were stone-cold sober when we made the promise to each other.

“We said that whoever died first, the other one had to wear a pink dress with green spots to the funeral – and we shook on it. It was mainly his idea and the more I think about it, I’m sure Kevin knew something was going to happen.

“I looked for the exact dress but couldn’t find one anywhere.

“I eventually picked up the green one in Primark and bought the pink pop-socks to make it look even sillier.

“It’s what Kev would have wanted.” He added: “Kev told his whole family about the pact, so I couldn’t back out.

“I had a word with him at the graveside and asked if he liked the colour.

“I’m sure I could hear laughing coming out of the ground.”

A month before his tragic death in Afghanistan, Private Elliott spent what would be his last two weeks leave at Delaney’s flat in Dundee. Over 1,000 people attended his funeral, and as Delaney approached his friend’s graveside, mourners clapped and cheered at his colorful tribute. Elliott leaves behind two brothers, two sisters, his mother- and one very loyal best friend.

[Source: The Daily Record via snopes]