Highway of Heroes letter brings back sad memories

To the editor:

Re: 'Honouring fallen soldiers on Highway of Heroes,' Letters, June 24.

I read the letter by Sharon McDonald with mixed feelings. How many Canadians, including our men in Afghanistan, have heard of 'Operation Firedog?'

This was an attempt by Communist Terrorists to take over what was then Malaya. I was there, in the Royal Air Force, on Singapore Island, supporting our troops as best we could, who were in the jungles of that country.

The CTs, as we called them, were supplied and supported by Peking. The operation lasted 10 years (1948 to 1958) before they were defeated in their purpose. It was the British who did most of the heavy lifting, with men and money supplied by Britain. And, in the course of this battle, we lost more than 600 men, to fire fights, accidents and disease.

I myself lost eight friends, seven by accidents and one to disease. There was no way to bring their bodies back home (if they could be found), just a quick blast of the Last Post on a trumpet at the grave side, a telegram to their relatives, and that was that.

In all cases, these men and myself volunteered to go there. I learned what it was like to live among people from all over the Far East, ate their food, studied their religions. And, as a young man of 20 years, found the girls delightfully attractive.

Derek Pennington