“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
Monday, January 14, 2008
A fellow Commando officer of Stephen wrote in Stephens' blog comments to the effect that WHY WHY WHY.. damn it that it had got to be him! A Cdo officer who could not extricate himself from a dangerous situation .. and if that had happened during service at Hendon Camp, the punishments of which he need not be reminded of but Stephen was "punished" for this and paid the penultimate price -- with his life!
I am sure that the officer friend was not really blaming him for what he could not have done, but spoken with the exactitude of the mindset and pschological make up of a red head affectionately, in part frustration and in part exultation that really Stephen could have done better and Hendon Camp would not have lost one of its finer Officer and Gentleman as testified to by so many of his students and by the people whose lives he had inspired and touched whether student or fellow dragon boating mates/rowers.
Stephen, we all know really how you must have tried and no one blames you for not succeeding once in your life to laden us with this sorrow and regret for your celebrated life.
When commando mates should "tick you off" for failing, in helpless and dejected anger, you, who was trained as one, would no doubt know too well only that that is all that could be expected of the rugged guys and men whom you once served with but all had only felt the anger for you as we all know that Hendon Camp shall miss the home coming of one of her finer boys. Semper fidelis -- as with the marines who do not die but just fade away -- you too shall not age nor become wrinkled but forever be remembered in your fit hunky glory till memories too shall fade and the rest of your mates be they from Hendon or dragon boating join you too in a better place than earth which had deprived you of your life albeit so deserving.
To the rest of us -- all this had taught us a good lesson -- not of life vest wearing and such but of the fact that we should never be complacent with life and more importantly never to take the time accorded us to spend with friends for granted.
Cherish all our friends for no matter how fit they are, they are not here forever. If there are any thing nice to say about them-- show them your appreciation and say so when they could still be around to appreciate it and hear it.
Before you say "no" to a friend and turn away a friends' request, think if it might not be too late to say "yes" the next time when you wanted to.
Deepest condolences to all the families and friends of the five of whom many of my personal friends have been and we shall all miss them ever more at future races.
"Paddles UP" and special salutations for Stephen, who was the only one I had spoken to and only so recently-- for Honour and Glory- did you finally lay down your life and rest in peace whilst representing Singapore.
SilverFox70
I am sure that the officer friend was not really blaming him for what he could not have done, but spoken with the exactitude of the mindset and pschological make up of a red head affectionately, in part frustration and in part exultation that really Stephen could have done better and Hendon Camp would not have lost one of its finer Officer and Gentleman as testified to by so many of his students and by the people whose lives he had inspired and touched whether student or fellow dragon boating mates/rowers.
Stephen, we all know really how you must have tried and no one blames you for not succeeding once in your life to laden us with this sorrow and regret for your celebrated life.
When commando mates should "tick you off" for failing, in helpless and dejected anger, you, who was trained as one, would no doubt know too well only that that is all that could be expected of the rugged guys and men whom you once served with but all had only felt the anger for you as we all know that Hendon Camp shall miss the home coming of one of her finer boys. Semper fidelis -- as with the marines who do not die but just fade away -- you too shall not age nor become wrinkled but forever be remembered in your fit hunky glory till memories too shall fade and the rest of your mates be they from Hendon or dragon boating join you too in a better place than earth which had deprived you of your life albeit so deserving.
To the rest of us -- all this had taught us a good lesson -- not of life vest wearing and such but of the fact that we should never be complacent with life and more importantly never to take the time accorded us to spend with friends for granted.
Cherish all our friends for no matter how fit they are, they are not here forever. If there are any thing nice to say about them-- show them your appreciation and say so when they could still be around to appreciate it and hear it.
Before you say "no" to a friend and turn away a friends' request, think if it might not be too late to say "yes" the next time when you wanted to.
Deepest condolences to all the families and friends of the five of whom many of my personal friends have been and we shall all miss them ever more at future races.
"Paddles UP" and special salutations for Stephen, who was the only one I had spoken to and only so recently-- for Honour and Glory- did you finally lay down your life and rest in peace whilst representing Singapore.
SilverFox70
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