Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
KUALA LUMPUR: Lt. Colonel (Rtd) Cyril Antonio (Tony) Loone (picture) died yesterday, a soldier to the end (30th May 2006). The 71-year-old had been battling cancer over the past seven months.
His wife Josephine and his children were at his side. A condolence message from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, was among the first received.
The Raja of Perlis has traditionally been Colonel-in-Chief of the Rangers, the army corps Loone served for most of his 30-year career, which included being Commanding Officer, 7th and 8th Ranger Battalions.
Yusof Razak, his one-time company commander who retired as half Colonel, perhaps spoke for all Rangers in saying: "He was the best CO (commanding officer) I ever had."
Loone, who had stints as Malaysian Defence Attache in New Zealand and Commandant of the Territorial Army training centre in Ipoh, belonged to the first batch of Royal Military College cadets who graduated as officers in 1958 and was the Sword of Honour winner that year.
Loone will be cremated at the Cheras Crematorium on Friday. The cortege leaves No 40 Jalan SG2/4, Taman Seri Gombak at 8.45am on the 2nd June 2006 (Friday). The source.....
"The late Tony Loone was an icon. He was a brilliant officer having won the coveted sword of honour from the Class of 57. He was with Regular Intake 1 and was commissioned into the Federation Regiment as a subaltern in 1957. He was transferred into the Rangers in the mid-60s and commanded a few Ranger Battalions during his tenure in the Corps.
A very able commanding officer he was instrumental in getting the Communist Terrorists in and around Jalong and Sg Siput areas moving when the Malayan Communist Party decided to make a comeback in the mid-70s. Tony was the Brigadier's (Commander 2nd Bde) most trusted subordinate at that time, the Generals who were his juniors were quite dependent on him. He used to advise them with his brilliant ideas.
A tragedy occurred when a 7th Ranger's convoy was ambushed. After 7th Rangers lost 15 men in this ambush by Communist Terrorists, when Lt Col Hussein Ali Piah was commanding. He took over command from Lt Col Low Lye Fook. He worked very hard to boost the morale of 7th Rangers. He brilliantly and quickly transformed the unit into a mean fighting machine.
He spent alot of time with his soldiers being away from home for long periods of time. He motivated his Officers and Men to be the best that they could be. He was with 7th Rangers from 17th April 1975 - 18th May 1977. He was given a very fond farewell. Today 7th Rangers has evolved into an experienced combat seasoned unit, whether in the jungles of Malaysia or the semi arid deserts of Somalia, partly due to his sacrifices and contributions.
My condolences to the bereaved family. I will update this post at a later date".
