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."
"DREAM COME TRUE": Captain Tunku Ismail Ibrahim leads a mounted column of the Jaipur-based 61st Cavalry at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Friday.
New Delhi: It was a proud moment for Captain Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, grandson of the Sultan of Johor, when he saluted President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, leading the mounted column of the Jaipur-based 61st Cavalry at the Republic Day parade on Friday.
"To salute the President is such a great honour. I could not believe if it was in real," said an elated Ibrahim, the first foreigner to lead a unit of the Army contingent.
Thrilled at the opportunity, the young Malaysian prince, who was commissioned in the Army two years ago after passing out from the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehra Dun, told a private TV channel that it was like a "dream come true."
"It is a family tradition to get trained in the forces. My grandfather was trained in the Malaysian Army. My father, the Crown Prince of Johor, received training in the U.S.," said Ibrahim, the first member of his family to join the Indian Army.
"It is a great honour to be part of such a great Army and to take part in the national event," the Captain added.
Asked to compare life in Malaysia with that in India, he pointed out that they (his brothers back in Malaysia) were more "free and do not have much restrictions."
"As a result, they can focus on the responsibilities and have free time as well unlike me," said Ibrahim, one of the most talked about `star' of the parade.
He explained: "I have added responsibilities but being trained in the Indian Army, I have learnt to take it as a challenge." — PTI. Source-The Hindu
