to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
I had barely been introduced when she looked at me and asked, almost matter-of-factly: “Sundalo ka pala? Ilan na ang napatay mo?” (So you’re a soldier? So, how many men have you killed?”) For a second, I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know whether to laugh or to take it seriously and defend myself.
The experiences I gathered taught me that war is not composed solely of heroic battles, dramatic victories, or thrilling near-death escapes that we see in the movies. It is also made up of empty seats at family tables. Of birthdays spent far from home. Of children who know their fathers only through photographs. Of friendships ended abruptly by a burst of gunfire. Of brave men making decisions that unknowingly become their last.
As we step into this new year, let our positivity embrace all the possibilities ahead. May it be filled with love, laughter, and countless blessings. Let’s celebrate our wins together and support each other through any challenges that come our way.
Six young men, all PMA graduates, all lieutenants, all Scout Rangers, all sons of general officers with four bearing their father’s first name—all fell under combat conditions while in noble service to the nation. They could have easily stayed on safer grounds; instead, they chose the difficult path. They chose to be Scout Rangers.
We were once upon a time grizzled warriors – fighting, bleeding, dying and surviving together through nameless battles – accomplishing remarkable feats, enduring heartbreaking losses, making silly mistakes and, as the Scout Ranger Song goes: “seeking and fighting and laughing and loving, Scout Rangers of fortune are we!”
by: Preciosa S. Soliven a repost from The Philippine Star, 30 Nov 2017 Thank you, Precious, for this wonderful article honoring a young officer who
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