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."
He was walking around the exhibition area, wearing his Perim T-Shirt. He walked around looking at the exhibits. Minding his own business. A Lieutenant Colonel hailed him. He stopped to talk to the Lt Col, him being a mere Warrant Officer.
Behind the Lt Col was a two star Major General and a one star Brigadier General. The Lt Col sounded off by saying, "How come I do not see more of you guys?"
Sikhs
Probably the Lt Col has never seen Indians or Chinese in the service, nowadays Lt Col's are a dime a dozen in the Military. Probably he has inward prejudice
Hindus
The Warrant Officer stopped to talk to him. "Sir I have served for 25 years, during that time none of you noticed the Indians and Chinese, especially so for courses and promotions, You only notice us when you want us to do dangerous and difficult tasks or when you want to ride us for your benefit".
The Major General and the Brigadier General beat a hasty and strategic retreat.
They probably knew in their heart of hearts that was an unwinnable debate. The Lieutenant Colonel, well the cat got his tongue!!
