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."
Memorial Service for the late Lt Col VP Nathan tomorrow
Friday, October 17, 2008
The memorial service for LT. COL V. P. NATHAN (RTD) KPK, PMP, AMP, PA, PSC will be held on the 18th October 2008, 4 pm at the Tamil Methodist Church in Buntong, Ipoh. All of you are invited. You may leave your condolence messages in the comments section of this post. Thank you. During happy times, click on image to enlarge. Left to right: Major Vasudevan, student, Officer from the Fiji AF, Uncle Kassim, student, the late Lt Col VP Nathan, Officer from the Fiji AF, Ranjit Singh, the late Major Ling Toh Tiong, me, Capt Professor (Dr) Itam Sulaiman, student and the bagged officer Major Greg Hart of New Zealand. Vethakan Pakian Nathan known as V.P. Nathan was born on 9.8.1940 in Batu Gajah, Perak. He was the third child of the late A.Gnaniah Paul and Alice Ponnamal and he also lived in Gunung Rapat and finally the family moved and settled down in Taiping as his late father was posted as a Tamil School Headmaster in the All Saints School, Kamunting. Col Nathan had his early education in All Saints School and Kind Edwards VII. He joined the Army on 21/3/1963 as an other rank and later in 1967 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Rangers. The Funeral
In 1969 he married Grace Annamal Jessie (who passed away on 21/10/2005) and had 3 children namely Edwin Seibel Nathan, Esotha Christine Nathan and Erika Malar Nathan. In 1982 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel before retiring on 10/8/1992. He served the Malaysian Army for a period of 28 years, 9 months and 20 days and held the following significant positions during his time in service. (i) PT Latih E Jabatanarah Latih KEMENTAH Ketua Komp 2 Renjer. (ii) Pemangku Pen. Peg. Memerintah 2 Renjer (iii) Pen. Peg. Memerintah 102 BN TA (iv) PT2 Latih Cwg Doktrine Jabatanarah Latih KEMENTAH. (v) Commanding Officer 8 Rangers. (vi) Commanding Officer BN Inf 301 PSTD (vii) Commandant PLAW (Pusat Latihan Askar Wataniah) After leaving service in 1992, he joined Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah (YSIS) as the Chief Executive Officer. He enjoyed the work of the organization in helping the disabled throughout their many centres in Perak. He also joined other NGOs such as the Y’s men Club and PINSO (Perak Information Network Services Organizations). He was the founding member and chairman of the Methodist Senior Fellowship of the Tamil Methodist Church, Buntong and was active in their activities. He was also the patron of the Nadar Aika Sangam. Col Nathan was also a branch Chairman for a MIC branch in Gunung Rapat for a few years. He enjoyed helping people in need especially special children, orphans and the disabled. In February 2005, he retired from YSIS and decided to spend his whole time with his family and his late wife Grace and his 7 grand children and not to forget Church. During his lifetime, he was awarded the following awards namely Pingat Perkhidmatan Am, Pingat Keputusan Perutusan Keberanian, Pingat Ahli Mahkota Perak (AMP) and Pingat Pemangku Mahkota Perak (PMP). Lt Col V. P. Nathan (Rtd) on 9/9/2008 passed away peacefully after a short illness. A Tribute To Lt Col V.P. Nathan by Lt Col Toh Choon Siang and Lt Col Nazrul Edgar The first true original Ranger Officer (the other COs before him were 'celup') to be given the honour to command 8th Royal Rangers Regiment that was then based in Oya Camp, Sibu, Sarawak from 1st January 1982 until 31st January 1984. Col V.P. Nathan was an exemplary CO who had all his officers and men in his heart; a fatherly figure and a gem of a gentleman. Always giving his best to ensure that the unit's welfare is given top priority and never fails to be on the ground with the boys - be it during exercises or on operations. He has successfully commanded the battalion in numerous operations and exercises in and around the 3rd Sarawak Division under RASCOM. In true Ranger's spirit, he also ensured that his officers fully participated in regular training sessions at the bar in the officers mess by holding strongly to the maxim: "the officers mess is the best venue to train officers". Married to Grace (late) who became a loving mother to all bachelor officers. She was always willing to cook up a meal for them after their late sessions in the bar when the kitchen was closed. In a way the group of officers who served with him during his tour as CO of 8th Rangers had a special place in his heart. Even after he was posted and we too moved to other institutions, he somehow made efforts to enquire, engage in some friendly chatter and kept abreast of our respective developments. Even after he had retired, Col Nathan always had the Ranger fraternity and affiliation in heart. He was ever willing and seldom fails to attend functions, gatherings and ocassions that have these birds of the same feathers. He was an avid footballer and nicknamed "Kevin Keegan" during his Royal Military College days. This was ever evident with 2nd Royal Rangers as it was his parent unit and currently based close to his residence in Ipoh, that in a way served as his second home. True to his character of a sportsman, Col Nathan (in 2001) donated a challenge trophy for 2nd Royal Rangers Inter Company Rugby Competition which still stands and is actively competed yearly. Col Nathan, the Rangers officers and men will never forget you and you will always be remembered as a well respected Ranger Officer through and through. Your demise is a great loss not only to the Rangers Regiment but also the Army and the nation. May your soul rest in eternal peace. AGI IDUP AGI NGELABAN.
