Showing posts with label Army. Show all posts

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Moments of Bayanihan | The Nurse with a Soldier's Heart

When people usually talk about the word military, what pops out of my mind usually has the same meaning of being raw, rugged, and extreme. But everything changed when I had the chance on meeting a nurse wearing a battle dress uniform, I felt devotion where two selfless career in one life can shine.   

- Instrument for Healing Hands -

"A military nurse treats a foreigner suffering from allergies during the Hot Air Balloon festival sometime February 2010. A nurse had taken oath to serve any person suffering from discomfort. While a military nurse extends herself to marry the career of arms and an instrument for healing hands."

It is probably a non-refutable fact if I say that military nursing can be one of the most difficult jobs available in the world as Lt. Gen. Nestor R. Santillan, AFP (Ret) once said, "The life of a soldier is a life of duty, not adventure; a life of sacrifice not choice; a life of service not profit; that is why we call our job, the service... the greatest reward for a soldier is to see the country and people we serve benefit from our dedicated service..."

I see now that there are little pointers to differentiate a civilian nurse to a military nurse... but being able to see their duty of marrying the career of arms and a provider of holistic care. They are undeniably one of most aspiring people in the field today.

If you are a nurse, try to imagine this when you wake up with the sound of reveille in the morning, run for your physical exercise, bathe in excruciatingly cold water, don your army uniform, wear those heavy combat boots, then accessorize yourself with stethoscopes, first aid kit, penlight, among others... 

Towards the start of your shift, one of your objective is to help the wounded soldiers and regain the hope of life within them. Some may have probable post traumatic stress disorder which can be a big hindrance to your healing hands. You see them without limbs because they just came in from the battlefield. Even a cold or flu can still make the day bad. However, you, being their support makes a big difference and their dependents vouch for your care to teach them in taking part of their well-being.

It is not just soldiers whom our military nurses support. Their dependents are also part of their circle of care. On the wider scale, the whole community is also an extension of their responsibility.

By these words I say, military nurses are a great asset to the troops, their dependents, and the community. 

 Along with reservists and their nursing degree (photo on left), they work hand in hand for nation-building; pushing greater horizons of service to community education and rescue operations. This is Bayanihan.
It is not an everyday scene that you see military nurses in the field. Not because they only show their service in the back of the stage, rather, they just don't do it under the spot light to gather fame. These camouflaged Nightingales are too busy rendering their service for the people who need them most.

This blog is dedicated to the military nurses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. To the nurses with a soldier's heart.
© iamreservist

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Moments of Bayanihan | The Unknown Soldier

Libingan ng mga Bayani
- The Unknown Soldier - 

 "Here Lies a Filipino Soldier Whose Name is Only Known to God."

Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig City, Philippines is where I spent my night for the Undas (Halloween). It just feels right that I wanted to share a piece of my experience and feature the story in this blog. This was my first time being here with a bag full of questions to fill a curious mind. 

 It is probably the best time to visit the area, after all, this is the Halloween and the cemetery is open for twenty-four hours from November 1-2, 2012. I spent two days and a night just taking photos of our heroes. 

 Libingan ng mga BayaniWhile roaming around the evening, it felt like romance having to see elderly people lighting up candles. Children were also there listening stories of valor. But what actually caught my heart is the tomb called the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" situated in the center of the cemetery. 
This was specifically established in memory of those soldiers whose names have not been known after their death mainly because their bodies are no longer in the shape of recognition. 

 When I was munching every moment and pondering the beauty of their sacrifice. One stranger stood beside me and openly shared his heart. He said, "How great can this be? A soldier whose name is unknown to all of us but he has full of my respect." I felt it. And from that moment, it somehow feels good to be reminded of what Bayani (Hero) truly calls for!

One or many has to know that we Filipinos owe our freedom from these men who did the ultimate sacrifice of accepting death for the love of his country. How can the nameless be full of respect? Because he is a hero. 

 I took my last photo (first photo above) under the shimmering stars at 0300H. I just felt that these stars were there for a reason... It felt like I am glancing through every legacy and sacrifice of the soldiers who were not named. 

 Oh! Only God knows, but whoever you are... I thank you Sir Soldier Sir!
In lieu with the season of remembering our soldiers, I am dedicating this post to my grandfathers and their siblings who dedicated their service before I was born. I did not know very much about your lives and the things you've done to free this country. But this fact constantly give me that amazement that loving this great nation is part of my blood. 

Happy Undas everyone! 

And I'm proud to be an Filipino, 
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, 
who gave that right to me.”
~ excerpts from Lee Greenwood, edited.

© iamreservist

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Buhay Kawal: Psalm 91


- Psalm 91 - 

 A junior soldier was asked to pray for his comrades without hesitation. He prayed in bisaya while following through a verse from Psalm 91.

In some units of the Philippine Army, the troops are required to memorize in their full heart the contents of Psalm 91. This verse is not a pattern of prayer, but to them, it is a reminder of God's splendor and promise. It was even termed as the soldier's prayer. 

During World War I, the 91st Brigade of the U.S. Army prayed Psalm 91 together every day. Although they were engaged in three of the bloodiest battles in the war, these soldiers had no combat-related casualties. Psalm 91:1-16 (The Message) shows this promise. It also comforts our Filipino - Christian soldiers in the field; whether in operation or standby.

Buhay Kawal (Life of a Soldier) is not an a usual walk-in-the-park career. Rather lives are dedicated to serve the Filipinos with all bravery and courage. Their courage is knowing that fear is still existent in their lives but pressing on for the orders and the calling. 

All along they do this, to provide for their families whom they ever wish to come home safe. Psalms 91 comforts them from the fear of the unexpected events. Hence, yielding them courage to become better soldiers.  

This blog post is dedicated to the four marines who sacrificed their life last Sunday October 28, 2012 at Patikul, Sulu. iamreservist pays respect and condolence to the families. I pray for comfort for each and every individual facing the situation. All taps to... 
SGT RICARDO S NACARIO 834788 PN (M) 
CPL DEXTER JOHN G BATERINA 868829 PN (M)
PFC ALLAN B BERCILLA 897644 PN (M)
PFC GLEN C GAPASIN 899933 PN (M)

 © iamreservist

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Moments of Bayanihan | Green Army


- Green Army - 

 Our brave soldiers aren't just known as jungle fighters known to protect and secure our land. A soft side of them does reflect when they also show their value in the importance of giving full respect to nature and promoting social responsibility. In a moment, they can bear not holding a gun, as long as his hands are filled by actions of peace.
When I took this photo early in the morning, their objective was to transport and plant these seedlings to a deforested mountain that was devoured by fire years back. I have not realized that our soldiers happily do their job of helping a community for forest rehabilitation. They seem as small jobs for the task of what they were trained to do. By which I can say that, "Good soldiers are trained to become the best in their craft of soldiery but great ones extend their capacity to do more good things." A soldier is known to be one of the most versatile people on earth, they happily nod to help even doing the simplest of things - like tree planting.

 These men are always there to respond for whatever Bayanihan program the government intends to do. For what is worth, I also call them as the 'Green Army'.

 But despite all of this, we should put into ourselves that social responsibility is everyone's responsibility. Like what a  good soldier said, "Let every man be his own master, but let him first and above all be his own charge. It is our own destiny to transform this nation, we begin by transforming ourselves first - Late 2LT Jose Delfin E. Khe, PA".

 @ iamreservist 

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Moments of Bayanihan: Paper Planes

- Paper Planes - 

 A young boy admires his fathers' job, being a soldier that is. 

 Growing up while visiting his father at the camp every school break earned him the fascination to become a pilot someday. He stands proud, giving the freedom to dream about flight in paper planes and hearing military pilots' tell stories about our gloriously beautiful Philippine skies. 

 I adore the men in uniform who honors the dream of their young children. Standing guard with good parenthood despite living hundred of miles away, it is with great pride and joy to raise kids who are also future investors of peace by instilling their minds with the noblest of things.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. - Proverbs 22:6
There was freedom in the unlimited horizon, on the open fields where one landed. A pilot was surrounded by beauty of earth and sky. He brushed treetops with the birds, leapt valleys and rivers, explored the cloud canyons he had gazed at as a child. Adventure lay in each puff of wind.
— Charles A. Lindbergh, 'The Spirit of St. Louis.'  
 © iamreservist