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."
Another Choo places his life on the line for his country
Friday, September 04, 2009
I am talking about Choo Hou Ran. He was doing his sixth form in Anglo Chinese School, Ipoh in the year 2007. He dropped out of school when he successfully passed the interview to become a Navy Cadet. What is unique about this Choo is that he is the third generation of Choo's to place his life on the line for Malaysia. I attended his passing out parade on the 11th July 2009 at the Lumut Naval Base. He was commissioned by the King. I would like to thank his sister Vivienne and his brother Kelvin for some of the photos they forwarded to me. Here is a video clip of that memorable occasion.
The first generation of Choo's who served in the forces was of course his grandad, he is the guy in the centre on top of the cabin of the truck. I had written about him previously,he also happens to be my father in law.
Then there is Choo Hou Ran's grand uncle,he is the shortest guy in the centre of this image, who also happens to be a valour award winner.
