Some may say that I put my life on line. I did.
That was a choice; let’s say an occupational hazard. It was for country, sure, but it was a
salary-based decision too. A livelihood.
I was shadowed by death and for that reason I am saluted by the public, but
that neither gives me bragging rights nor a license to do as I please.
Being human I reveled in the adoration showered on me by one
and all after the security forces rid the country of the greatest threat to
independence, sovereignty and peace, the LTTE.
Being a member of a regimented outfit with a well-defined structure of
authority where orders are given and obeyed, such things don’t easily seep
under my skin.
But maybe, deep down, I took that adoration and gratitude
for granted. In the case of the military
offensive to liberate the people and country held siege by the LTTE, there was
following-of-order and also heart, the fulfilling of a personal need on account
of love for country, identification with way of life, consciousness of history
and heritage. Not all assignments come
with such additional incentives.
In the end, I am a soldier following orders. Orders of superiors flowing from their superiors
and in the end from the political leadership.
They are not always people-friendly.
They need not coincide with my interests. But I am contracted to execute orders. As long as I remain a soldier.
I cannot and should not count on adoration and gratitude on
all counts from all people.
1 comments:
I, robot!;)
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