Farewell to a Hero

Funerals can be quite poignant affairs for you do not really know who cares about you until you go.

Yesterday's funeral of the teacher Chan Boon Heng reminds me of the funeral of my eldest brother who was also a teacher. He passed away in Taiping after a massive heart attack in his home.
He had been a smoker and was fond of char kuey tueh (sp?) for supper.

That was about 8 years ago but I can still remember how touching it was to see tears in the eyes of so many students who lined the route in their uniforms. It was then I realised how many thousands of lives a teacher can touch over many years.

Many old boys came to the house and they recalled how my brother had helped them pass exams or even put them back on the right track after they got into trouble.
Good teachers who pass away are given a hero's farewell by their students.

So to all the dedicated teachers, I salute you. Your job is really tough but I am sure you will get your due rewards.

Let us hope that the Ministry of Education will ensure that he will be the last teacher to die under such circumstances.


photo:http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/war-funerals-photo-01.jpg