In my recent visit of a hinterland outpost, I surveyed soldiers going about their routine tasks. I know this is a typical sight, particularly at the front, as soldiers carry out their sworn duties of protecting the country and the people. While this is expected from soldiers, the thought of their sacrifices especially being away from their families is heartrending on my part, as a father. The scene is reminiscent of the culture of soldiering as described in the 1932 “The Edge of the Sword” book by French General Charles de Gaulle:
“Men who adopt the profession of arms submit of their own free will to a law of perpetual constraint. Of their own accord they reject the right to live where they choose, to say what they think, to dress as they like. From the moment they become soldiers it needs but an order to settle them in this place, to move them to that, to separate them from their families and dislocate their normal lives. On the word of command they must rise, march, run, endure bad weather, go without sleep or food, be isolated in some distant post, work till they drop. They have ceased to be the masters of their fate. If they drop in their tracks, if their ashes are scattered to the four winds, that is all part and parcel of their job.”
As a commander, I owe an explanation to the families of our soldiers especially their children to make them understand what it means to have a parent to be in the “Profession of Arms.” Hence, I find it fitting to post below the December 2008 letter of the Commanding General of the Philippine Army addressed to the soldiers’ children. (Original version in Pilipino)
Letter to Soldiers' Children
104th BDE has been into whole lot of challenge in the year 2008...with the august 18 incident, it has become more vulnerable to criticisms and pressures. however, you have stood your ground and jumped out of the box and pursued another track of transcending the present situation. relationship-building, and being transparent in a way, and being open, has strenghtened your stance of facing the realities of the situation...
ReplyDeletecongratulations for what you have been accorded to as best brigade.....you deserve it and continue to what you have been doing towards the transformation of communities, transformation of the troops, and transformation of peoples ...
congrats
104th BDE has been into whole lot of challenge in the year 2008...with the august 18 incident, it has become more vulnerable to criticisms and pressures. however, you have stood your ground and jumped out of the box and pursued another track of transcending the present situation. relationship-building, and being transparent in a way, and being open, has strenghtened your stance of facing the realities of the situation...
ReplyDeletecongratulations for what you have been accorded to as best brigade.....you deserve it and continue to what you have been doing towards the transformation of communities, transformation of the troops, and transformation of peoples ...
congrats
Thanks very much Mae for your uplifting comments. While there is still much to be done, I am honored together with my troops for where the brigade is now. I owe this to their loyal commitment together with the morale and real support of the communities--NGOs, CSOs, local leaders, media, and the people-- towards the objectives we have set in aspiring for a better society. Only the best and God Bless us all.
ReplyDelete