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3,000 Say Goodbye to Knievel

Posted Dec 10, 07 5:27 PM CST in Sports,  Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – Thousands of mourners, including actor Matthew McConaughey and boxing champ Joe Frazier, gathered today to bid farewell to Evel Knievel, New West reports. The ceremony took place in the famed daredevil’s hometown, Butte, Mont., which marked the arrival of his coffin last night with a 3-minute salvo of fireworks. Knievel died Friday at 69.

"I scraped together every dime I had to come here,” said one mourner, echoing the devotion of the crowd, which began forming in the snow well before the service began. Knievel’s son-in-law read a letter from the showman: “I’m right back to the spot where it all began,” it read. “It is on this solid ground where I plan to end my story.”

Source New West

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The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., speaks at the memorial service for motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007....   (Associated Press)
The marquis at the Butte Civic Center shows farewell message to motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel as his hearse leaves after a memorial service in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov....   (Associated Press)
Krystal Kennedy-Knievel wipes away tears during the memorial service for her husband, motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov. 30 at the age of 69...   (Associated Press)
Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., stands at right as pallbearers load the casket bearing motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel after his memorial service...   (Associated Press)
Robbie Knievel raises his fist in salute to his father, motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel in the casket below, at Kneivel's memorial service in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov. 30...   (Associated Press)
The lid of the casket is closed after the memorial service for motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov. 30 at the age of 69 after years of battling...   (Associated Press)
Motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel is visible in his casket for public viewing before his memorial service in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov. 30 at the age of 69 after years of...   (Associated Press)
Motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel is visible in his casket for public viewing before his memorial service in Butte, Mont., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Knievel died Nov. 30 at the age of 69 after years of...   (Associated Press)
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