Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
An E-Mail from the Democratic Republic of Congo - Lt Col (Rtd) Don Too Heng Onn
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Lt Col Don Too Heng Onn, was the 2IC of 7th Rangers in the eighties. Dear Swami, Here is a ballad that I wrote which was published in one of the UN's newsletters here in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since it is in honour and memory of fallen comrades on a UN Memorial Day, which is equally applicable to our Rangers Corps' dedication to all our past fallen heroes, I thought some may not mind reading it. By the way, I hope someone will write something about my squad mate Shamugamnathan - he died a hero's death (remember 'Jalan Shamugamnathan' in Pulada?) but since he is dead, there is probably no one to write his epitaph; and that is sad. I hope you can do something for Shamugam. Thanks Swami - keep up the fantastic job you are doing. Tchou.
P.S. The ballad was written from an inspiration during my service days.
Ballad Dedicated To . . . Men Of The Blue Beret (To The Tune of ‘The Green Beret’) These Chosen Men From Distant Lands Now A Single Clan For Peace They Stand Just Show Them The Way Men of The Blue BeretContinue to the Ballad here....
