Soldier's Friend Keeps Promise By Wearing a Neon Dress to His Funeral

by Erin Donnelly (Subscribe to Erin Donnelly's posts)
Posted Sep 16th 2009 at 1:40PM

Barry Delainey Dress Soldier's Funeral

Barry Delainey mourns in a neon dress at best friend Kevin Elliott's funeral. Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell, Getty Images

Bust out the Kleenex, people.

The somber funeral for slain Scottish soldier Kevin Elliott was brightened -- sartorially, at least -- by an attendee in a neon green, tight-fitting dress and hot pink knee socks.

The fluorescent getup was worn by the soldier's best friend, Barry Delainey, fulfilling his and Elliott's promise to wear a dress to the funeral of whomever passed away first, The Telegraph reports.

Sadly, the 24-year-old Elliott died before his time during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan on August 31, The Telegraph reports, though his funeral was not held in Dundee until yesterday.

While Delainey's day-glo attire surely must have raised eyebrows amongst a crowd of mourners wearing traditional black or military uniforms, we think his bold choice is a touching testament to his friendship with Elliott.

Can we get a Best Friend Ever award over here?

Click here to read about the military's influence on fashion.

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Filed under: News
Tags: afghanistan, barry delainey, barry delaney, BarryDelainey, dress at funeral, DressAtFuneral, funeral, kevin elliott, military, neon, neon dress at funeral, NeonDressAtFuneral, soldier, veteran

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READER COMMENTS

(254)Add A Comment

camptoninn, 9-16-2009, 1:59PM

Friends are what make this journey called life a bit easier to take. God Bless the ones that keep their promises - no matter how silly. Peace

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jz, 9-17-2009, 12:03AM

You advertisers are absolutely disgusting! You have no couth, no shame, no feelings, and too cheap to place a real ad. Did you ever stop to think that you would offend everyone and get no business from this behavior? You're absolute Pond Scum.

Punk, 9-19-2009, 4:04PM

Well said!!!

Greg, 9-19-2009, 4:36PM

Good words friend...Thank You...

Demetri, 9-19-2009, 5:33PM

As a man who has since served his country, this is the kind of brother like bonds that form among men who serve. It goes far beyond just friendship. God bless Barrys soul and may he bless Kevin

Keri, 9-19-2009, 8:09PM

So very true, god bless!

Quintin291, 9-19-2009, 8:58PM

I agree? that is truly a BEST FRIEND... They are forever

Jerry, 9-20-2009, 12:26AM

Here is a toast to friendship; may your friends be as loyal in life, as this man is in death.

lukasgrew, 9-20-2009, 1:55AM

amen to that. enemies may kill you, but it is friends and loved ones who remember and memorialize your passing.

Bee, 9-20-2009, 2:09AM

camptoninn, couldn't agree more.

cookie, 10-09-2009, 5:36AM

I agree with you. It would have been something that I wouldn't have had the nerves to do. But what are friends for? It is something his friend might be having a kick out of in his life after death. I have to congratulate the young man, he really is a good friend. I wished that all of my friends had that same commitment.

MJ, 9-16-2009, 8:17PM

I think this is really sweet. In the face of terrible sadness such as this, we need to remember what our loved ones would want most: for us to be happy. While, I'm sure, some people might say this was inappropriate behavior for a funeral, I applaud Barry Delainey. This was such a great little story. It made me remember my own friends and I would hope that they would do something like this for me, as I would certainly do for them.

Reply »

kgandy04, 9-16-2009, 8:19PM

We should all be lucky enough to have a friend like that...awesome.

Reply »

kathy, 9-16-2009, 9:49PM

i agree with you 100%.. god bless both of them

Lin, 9-19-2009, 10:27PM

I so agree with you on that!!!! This was a true friendship of love and he proved his love for his friend for doing it and standing up once again and being a man of honor not only for his country but for his friend...god bless you both!!! This story brought tears to my eyes but love in my heart for both of them!!! I would be honored if my sons were to grow up just like them to young men!!!

Steve-a-rino, 9-17-2009, 12:04AM

My best friend, Pete, was shot to pieces in front of me in Viet Nam and we'd promised each other to get drunk as a skunk on the anniversary of the other's death. Well, every March 19 I am there - apple martini's by the barrel, and I'll be goddamed if anyone can stop me. War is about the men who fight it and anyone else can kiss our rosy red ass!

Reply »

Glorious, 9-23-2009, 4:36PM

GREAT, Steve a rino! That's cool.

Zekin, 9-17-2009, 2:10PM

My Father-n-law and I where good friends eventhough we where rival college football fans. For years we teased each other about the others teams win or losses. He was a Alabama fan while I am a Auburn fan. If any1 knows college football they will understand our rivalry. When he died 2 years ago from cancer every1 had on Alabama fan teeshirts, but I came in my Auburn shirt. I wan't going to wear it, but my Mother-n-law said he would had rolled over in his grave if I had come in a Alabama shirt. Though I felt out of place being the only Auburn fan in the crowed, But in my heart I could feel him laughing at me like always. But I think it's because he already know Alabama was going to beat us that year.
I love and miss you big Tom.

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