“How could these five ordinary men who lived in our midst — no airs, no superstar pretensions — have made such an impact on our collective psyche this week?

I think it is because we recognised that regular guys could do pretty extraordinary things; that they had simple goals; and that they had a determination to succeed and do well for themselves, their families and their country.

They revelled in camaraderie, knew the importance of teamwork and of pulling together in the same direction. They embodied a spirit for fun and adventure that many of us would like to have experienced but rarely make the time for.

If their lives are to mean anything, we should not forget what they represented.”

FROM :
“Five ordinary men, an extraordinary legacy” by Paul Jacob
Thinking Aloud column, December 1, 2007, The Straits Times