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."
Edited and reposted - Reunion Indians Seventh Rangers (Mech) 16th March 2024 - In Taiping
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
After the Sarawak visit, the folllowing dear men of 7th Rangers passed away. Sarinie anak Tingkak, my dear batman, managed to take him to Australia for a 5 weeks exercise. Sergeant Benet Barong, who was loved by Lt Col Zulkaply Abdul Rahman, who I also caught drinking "water" whilst on sentry duty towards the end of winter in the Jimna State Forest.
At 2 am I was doing my rounds on a defensive position. He was taking swigs from his water bottle, I walked over to him and asked him what he was drinking, he said "water" in a whisper. So I snatched the water bottle from him and took a swig, it was brandy. The warm liquid gave me a smooth feeling.
My response was, "Oh drinking on duty". He told me, "Sir please not so loudly". "Oh, so you are afraid your friends will finish up your stock, how many bottles have you? His reluctant answer was two only, sir". I told him, "Here is the deal, you will share your remaining stock with me". I will buy you beers at the Henry Dalziel VC Club after this exercise.