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."
Going on an exercise with a bad hangover. Our assembly area was in Camp Bau or sometimes known as Camp "Tasik Biru", which was the base of 10th Rangers, commanded by Lt Col Robert Rizal PGB. 10th Rangers has been disbanded and no more in existence except in memories. We moved from our base , which was in Simanggang, our camp was known as "Camp Pakit". The previous night on the eve of the exercise we had our former 2IC visiting from Mindef. He was holding the appointment of SO2A, he was Major Abdul Razak. All of us sucked up to him. He was in charge of postings for the Corps of Rangers. That's why !
The guys you see in the image here from left to right is Lt. Zainee Sulaiman from my home town, his aunty was my "Bahasa Malaysia" tutor when I was a kid. He lived across the road which separated the estate and the kampong. He left the service as a Captain, currently self employed with two lovely daughters and a son. We stay in touch. The guy beside him is me. After that is Lt Fuad, who too left the service as a Captain. Immediately beside him is Major Saad, my OC. Who is now a pensioner, staying in Bukit Ajil in Terengganu. Do not mention the name as Major Saad if you are looking for him, he is known as "Man Major" to the locals who are his neighbours now. A very nice place, he has built for himself and his family. His house is in an orchard. The next person with the very short hair and the Fu Manchu moustache is Major Jain anak Sumor. He too has left the service, currently with Dewan Bandaraya Kuching. The next guy with the helmet, a very jovial and a very good friend is the late Major Raguvello. He left the service as a Major, worked in Selangor Club. Died in a car accident, may he rest in peace. The guy in the 3/4 ton Volvo facing the camera is Corporal Sazali, who left the service as a Staff Sergeant. We were about to move into the exercise area. Click on image to enlarge.
I recently managed to contact Major Chan Weng Poh, a nephew of my late classmate Major Chan Boon Thien, he too died in a car accident. Major Chan Weng Poh's contact details have been added to the Directory, he is currently serving in Sabah.
