THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES SO WE MAY LIVE

THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES SO WE MAY LIVE

There is a plaque in the regimental headquarters of the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment which reads: “Let those who come after, see to it that these names be not forgotten. For they at the call of duty, left all that was dear to them, endured hardship, faced danger and finally passed out of sight of men. In path of duty and self sacrifice, giving their lives, that we might live in freedom”.

I was at the National Monument alone early morning last Deepavali, going through my own emotional upheaval, whining selfishly about my life and trying to make a sense of it. I could not help but gaze at the individual faces of the soldiers on the monument. Awe-inspiring, gallant and esteemed with pride, each face conveys a message of joy and pain of sacrifice.

My mother called me on the handphone quite hysterical and concerned. Why I had not returned home for the Deepavali celebration, she asked. Then it dawned upon, many of these soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom, did not return for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas. How their loved ones must have waited at their doorstep each single year yearning for their return.

While we sleep tucked under warm blankets in the comfort of our homes, formidable men from the Royal Malay and Royal Ranger Regiments, waist deep in muddy swamps covered with leeches are keeping vigil on the borders to ensure that comfort. While we are playing kites with our children under the clear blue skies, young fighter pilots under the blazing sun, strapped in their MIG-29 air superiority aircraft on Operational Readiness Platform (ORP) stand ready to avert any intrusion into our skies. While lovers on the beach watch the sun set over the horizon, dedicated sailors onboard the bridge of the guided missile frigate KD Lekiu are navigating the straits for hostile vessels.

This day-to-day operation may seem trivial to many, but when compared with our mediocre lives, one can gauge the yeoman service contributed by these quiet professionals. Field Marshall Montgomery, the famous British General during World War II, once quipped of his soldiers who took part in the Battle of Al Alamein: “ They are indeed a breed apart, everyman an emperor”. A befitting title indeed, to our soldiers, sailors and airmen alike.

So the next time you visit the National Monument and the when the sound of the bugle for Last Post echoes, stop whatever you are doing, stand at attention and bow your head, offer prayers to those gallant heroes who did not return, until the bugle stops.

If you just pray a little harder for those unknown faces who gave all and understand their sacrifice, tears might just flow from your eyes.

G.Jeyaganesh
December 14th, 2004