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."
MPs rally behind Mukhtiar October 21, 2008 The Malay Mail
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Several Members of Parliament have expressed their sympathy for war veteran Capt (Rtd) Mukhtiar Singh, who has been denied his pension by the Ministry of Defence for close to three decades. Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong wants the ministry to get its priorities right and give Mukhtiar his due. “If he is entitled to his pension, then let him have it. Aren’t the contributions he has made for the country enough?” Wee said.
He also asked what message Mukhtiar’s plight would send to Malaysians, especially the youth, should he be still denied his pension — just because he did not attend a couple of courses through no fault of his own. Wee also promised to raise the issue in Parliament as soon as the opportunity arose. Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan in expressing his concern said he would take up with Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop how best to help the retired captain.
“I have also informed MIC Federal Territory exco member Senator Datuk Daljit Singh, and he will be visiting Mukhtiar in the next day or two,” Saravanan said. Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai will also look into Mukhtiar’s plight and raise the matter in Parliament if no solution was found soon. Tan said: “He has served our country for so many years and should not be deprived of what is legitimately due just because he did not attend two courses, whether it was his fault or not.”
It would have been different, he reasoned, if the mistake Mukhtiar had made was so grave that it warranted disciplinary action — but that did not arise. “The mistake was not serious or if it was, it should have been addressed before he retired from service. This matter must not be left unresolved any longer,” Tan added. The Malay Mail