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."
By MASAMI MUSTAZA February 17, 2009 DECEASED Iban warrior Lance-corporal Ungkok Anak Jugam will finally be brought home to the final resting place he deserves.
This is all thanks to the commitment and passion of Lt Col (Rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah in ensuring that a fellow comrade who died in action on Feb 13, 1955 — during the Communist insurgency — has his grave relocated from its current location by the roadside. His grave, marked by a simple tombstone at Jalan Langgar, Alor Star in Kedah, has continued to be neglected for the past 54 years even as development progressed in the area.
It has taken the authorities too long to act and the delay must not go on much further, urged Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Idris Hassan. While the authorities are looking into proper exhumation rites for the deceased, a date is yet to be decided on.
“It’s a shame that the authorities allowed the grave of Ungkok to remain where it is — ‘di tepi jalan’ — on the road side, with a tilting tombstone among rubbish lying around,” said Idris.
This ex-serviceman, who has for a long time championed the plight of ex-servicemen who have not been given due recognition and respect by the authorities for their contributions to the country, is notable for highlighting the plight of retired army officer Captain Mukhtiar Singh.
“Ungkok gave his life for his country. Surely, as an interim measure, the authorities could have at least built an enclosure to prevent trespass and give some measure of dignity to this fallen warrior.” The Malay Mail
