Lunar New Year 2008

Lunar New Year is here again. This year is the Rat year. It seems so fast. It's already 5 months without Zhihao. The visitings to relatives' place still seem to be felt with his presence. Remembering, how he looks like with his new clothes and ever so ready to go visit the relatives. And how he always talked and spoke to the cousins about his army life.

I know that my mum too feels the same way as I have as she will make comparison between me and Zhihao at our Ganny's place. I know she misses him.

This Lunar New Year however seemed a little quite but I somehow enjoyed the peace of this Lunar Year.

People Can Make a Difference

Gor, this is dedicated to you. The moment I read this, I find it was talking about you. It describes you aptly.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triump of high achievement and who at worst, if he fails whiledaring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

Photos of Chee Hou

I have upload some photos of Chee Hou. Click the following link to view the photos.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/AlbumMenu.jsp?&view=1&page=1&sort_order=&albumsperpage=

Goodbye my dear friend - The Last Accompanied Journey

IT is amazingly wonderful to have friends who cared so much about oneself. One confidante is already so hard to seek. Chee Hou should have no regrets for he had more than one confidante. This video is created mainly by Jac, who barely knew CH for about 3 months. She felt so close to him that she was so sad during the day when she heard the news of CH's demise.

This video is dedicated to CH's friends and family. Special thanks to Andy, Shu Qing, Mei Si, Shi Yuan last but not least Jac.

Also deep thanks to Harry & wife who are both currently in Australia, who hurriedly took 2 weeks off work in late July/ early August to visit and look after CH. Also to bring their son, Jasper, CH's godson to him. Also to Auntie Ong, who followed along whenever Harry and Andy visited CH.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and support during CH's needy time. When the family is so drained and tired. Thanks for all the long hours at night to make and remake this video again and again.

Thanks for all of CH's dear colleagues who have visited him and encouraged him. Always so concern for him.

Thanks to Shin Hong , Vincent & Victor who stayed all night through CH's last days to help the family fold offerings and keep vigilant.

Thanks to the 4 men who kept vigilant throughout the last 2 days of CH.

Thanks to all the men who had volunteered themselves to help out in the funeral.

Huge thanks to the Warrant Tan, Warrant Wan, Warrant Lim, Col Tan, General Lim who have helped out in so many ways. Especially to Warrant Wan and Warrant Lim. Taking care of all the errands to ensure that all things run smoothly on 25 August. All these gave great comfort to the family. Knowning very well that this will be all that CH wanted. His final wishes fulfilled. Perhaps there's still another very last one. Hopefully to hear good news very soon.

I know that CH had more friends who loved him and had helped out than what I have managed to have known and mention. Thank you for all the love, care and friendship showered upon CH. For all those who have helped CH in one way or another, Thank You!

"Love is rarer than genius itself. And friendship is rarer than love." - Charles Peguy

Click here to view video clip of Chee Hou's last journey:

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb40/Jac3578/?action=view&current=ZhiHao_Video_LowFinal.flv

The final resting place of Chee Hou

ON 26 August 2007, CH's parents, sibilings, grandma, youngest auntie, and family friends went to Mandia crematoria to pick up Chee Hou's remains. We headed into Room 4 with a box of Chee Hou's remains.

The box placed on the table with a red cloth beneath. A large joss stick is lighted before his remains are picked. The man who came to help us with the resting of his remains in the urn, is surprised that his remains are huge!

He exclaimed that of the remains that he has picked CH's remains is the most amount done so far. He has the largest amount of remains in the temple of San Qing Gong!

After we have collected his remains in the urn, we headed off for San Qing Gong. CH's final resting place for annual visiting will be on level 2, unit number 06-32.

For adhor visit to CH, it will be at level 2, unit number 07-13.

His 7th day will be this Wednesday, at San Qing Gong on 29 August 2007. For your infor, no ducks for offering allowed. The chinese believed in the slant of the pronounciation duck as in "Ya,1" being stepped down by others.

On earth for 28 years 05 months

IT was a cloudy, sunny morning on 25 August 2007, Saturday. People began streaming in since 1030, paying their last respect to CH. AT 1300, ritual for prayers began. With CH's dear friends and relatives standing near the ritual table all ready to send him off this last journey.

THE monk chanted for CH, with CH's younger brother, sister and cousins standing close. Rest of the relatives and friends were crowding round. The monk chanted and the chant went for a good half an hour. Lastly with CH's younger rank siblings and cousin walking two rounds around CH. Finally, the ritual is completed with a respectful bow.

THE long awaited 8 smartly dressed soldiers in No.1 uniform together with the Warrant, marched in tandem towards CH. I hear that they are men who volunteered to take part. The military funeral for CH had began. 4 marched to each side of CH, with CH in between and facing each other. Standing in attention, their caps were collected. They opened and spread wide-open, the well-recognised, Singapore flag above CH. On the flag, he was given 3 badges. With finally, CH's cap on the flag before they lifted CH on their shoulders, to send CH off this last journey.

WITH well-synchronised movements, the soldiers lifted CH to the glass covered van without a skip of footings. It must have being the rehersal they had since Thursday. Or could it have being the love and respect for this fellow colleague that ensures the smooth walk? By-passers who stopped to look on, had no clue and must have being curious who was that that gathered such a crowd. CH is sent off with his younger rank, sibilings and cousins followed slowly and closely behind, off the block and towards the traffic before he was set off in good speed towards Mandai Crematoria at 1345.

THE rest of CH's relatives and friends followed. Reaching Hall 1 of the crematoria, the soldiers were all ready. A line of soldiers saluated to CH as his van passed by them. At further end of the line of soldiers were the team of the firing squad. The van stopped outside the hall. Another 8 soldiers in No1. were all in attention, in the waiting line for CH. Like earlier, their caps are collected and they started carrying CH in their hands. Music played by the band started and with CH lifted high up on their firm shoulders, they marched in sychronisation towards the hall.

IT was 1415 and all the friends, relatives and colleagues of CH were seated inside Hall 1. The prayer started, ended and the flag was collected and presented to CH's younger brother, Tze Chong. Inside the hall, we can hear very clearly the continous 3 blanks fired off by the firing squad. It was an emotional moment with everyone's hearts heavy, tears welling and dripping off cheeks. This is really the very last of CH.

PHYSICALLY, he will be away from us for good. Words pierced through hearts of many as Col. Tan and Warrant Tan sent on behalf the deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences for the lost of a good soldier in the military from Minister for Defence, Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Army, Com 6 Div & members of The Cobras Family and last but not least, Comd 2 SIB, Officers, WOSPEC & men of HQ2 SIB.

AT 1500, the lot of us, at least more than a 100, who came specially from be it a busy schedule, tiring long hours or a heavy heart, all witnessed the very last of CH. The incinerator was on.

THOUGH, physically he had left us for good, he will always be remembered by all those who loved him, all those he had loved, all those that he had made a difference to their lives. He will be remembered for the responsible, dutiful, caring, determined, positive-minded and cheerful person he was. He will be deep in our hearts forever.

GOR, I will always remember you. Many of us will. For you had made a difference to the lives of many through your selfishless nature. You have being an honorable man, having being part of the armed forces to be your utmost pride. Believing and trusting the every word of upholding honour & pride for you are the protector of the country. One who willingly pledges your life for your country. You have believed in brotherhood. You have believed in 有国才有家.

"We must learn to live together like brothers or perish together as fools." - Martin Luther King.JR.

I know that God has had a bigger plan install for you to do even greater things, till then rest in peace and in the comfort of God's arm.