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."
Dear Sirs,
The article on Capt Mukhtiar by Lt Col Idris -- and a sidebar on Major Swami and his blog is in today's Malay Mail. I sincerely hope it is ok with you all. Thank you, Gentlemen, and we will keep an eye on the story.
Dear Sheila,
The article on Captain Mukthiar is just perfect and your head line carries a powerful message . The awareness that you have given the 7th Rangers Blog is also what I very much wanted as there are still many out there unaware of this non fiction site where Major Swami tells the stories as they unfold and as they are, without fear or flavor. It's also here that courage ,valour and unselfish service to the nation, that takes precedence over every thing else.
My reply to them, thank you both for highlighting the plight of Police Inspector/Army Captain Mukhtiar Singh s/o Sodagar Singh. It is indeed a strong message. Col Idris, thank you Sir, for your relentless efforts and for caring for one of us. Dear Sheila, thank you for giving us the time and space in publicising this issue, sad as it is. Hopefully we will see light at the end of the tunnel. I would also like to thank the Malay Mail for giving us the space and highlighting the plight of Capt Mukhtiar, in your Cybershot column on page 16 of today's (15th October 2008) Malay Mail. Also a big thank you to Gabey Goh, who did the article. I am overwhelmed. Thank you all, so much.
