Im back to blog, someone complaint on my taggy asking mi to update so here I am...Dint went anywhere lately accept meeting my frens on weekend or accompany my mum out...Many thing hv yet to settled but the new house we getting will b settling real soon.The first appt. will b on the 29th this mth, will be accompanying mum to HDB HUB to get it done n oso for me to learn some things... While I was on the line wif Hazel today, she told mi she is going to take part in NDP in which helping to do make-up for performers den she told me she register with the sch liao...So I get her helped me called up sch n talk to principle but principle din get back to me, but end up I call up talking to 1 of the admin n she said tat she put my name in n close the registration and this is how i got the project as well...
Now i recalled back, its been mths since I last went clubbing.I missed all the drinking,all the snapping of pics, all the fooling ard n oso miss bumping into my long-lost peeps...But i think i will get back clubbing soon after all my family matters settle,if not club oso no mood....
Its gonna b 49 days soon Daddy will be going on his own to another side of the world,but to be frank I got so many things to tell daddy, so many to ask but I no longer hv the chance...I miss all daddy's nagging, so not used to it without his nagging by my ears.I used to find it irritating but yet now I no longer hv the chance to hear it...Im so sad,Im full of tears,I dunno how or when can I move on.I realli miss Daddy alot..No matter wat, Daddy will always remain in our hearts n greatly remembered...
I oso got hold of the euglogy of Daddy's fren hv written...
Today all of us mourn the passing of a brother-in-arms, a generous friend, and more than anything, a father and a husband who loved his family with all he had.
1. IWO Tan Poh Eng, or Yoko as we know him, was a Commando in every sense of the word: a sincere and loyal friend; a hard working and determined soldier; a fatherly mentor or “大哥” and more importantly, passionate about his proffesion as a military Warrant Officer and Skydiver. He worked hard for what he believed in and possessed vigour for his job throughout his 37 years of service.
a. As one of the earliest members of Parachute Training Wing, Yoko Has been committed to his passion all these years. Beside being a qualified military free-fall instructor, Yoko was also trained in Aerial Delivery in New Zealand. He was a member of the Accuracy Team of the Parachute Training Wing, and has participated in more than 10 National Day Parade Displays as part of the SAF Red Lions team.
b. An incident stands out in my memory: when he was covering the duties of Regimental Sergeant Major, then Commando Training Centre. He took great pains to prepare the NS Battalion for their participation in the National Day Parade, as the supporting contingent, representing the NSmen. His colleagues here today will remember his tireless effort to do his best – a quality which characterized not only his work, but him as a person.
c. His drive to learn was endless, even at the age of 50. He was committed to improving his skills for the organization and displayed great determination in getting himself to be Tandem Master-trained overseas, at his own expense; and sharing his expertise with his colleagues.
2. Yoko was also a generous friend to many, as many here could testify.
a. I know that once, when he had a friend in financial difficulty, he did not hesitate to offer assistance without any expectation for repayment not once but on many occasions. Such small acts marked Yoko’s generosity of spirit more than anything else, in helping a needy friend.
b. As one of the longer-service Warrant Officers of the Commando Formation, Yoko was also mentor to many and friend to all. Those of you seated here today who have had breakfast with him at the Spec Mess Canteen will remember his long-winded but very well-meaning advice: Tan Lee Khoon, Melvin Ho and Toh Keng Seng are some of those in the audience today, indeed a fatherly mentor to all.
3. If skydiving was his lifelong passion, then his two daughters – Phyllicia and Priscilla – were his life. Having left school without substantial qualifications, Yoko wanted to give his daughters the best he could. Generous to a fault, he once paid for a Cosmetic & Makeup course for his daughter despite his initial misgivings – believing that they deserve to pursue opportunities which he never got to enjoy when he was young.
4. Those of you who have been on parachute jumps with Yoko will remember how the only topic he would talk about while waiting for his jump would be his daughters. Perhaps Yoko was happiest then- pursuing one passion while indulging himself in talk about the other.
5. Yoko’s steadfastness and commitment lay not only with the SAF Commandos. In the 1970s, when he was still a junior parachute jump instructor, Yoko befriended a young parachute rigger when he went to return parachutes after a jump one day. This year is Yoko and Hin Lye’s 30th year of marriage. Colleagues who worked with Yoko through the 1980s and 90s will remember how, after his wife Hin Lye had left the military service; he would make the journey from Changi to Balestier everyday, without fail, to take his wife home after work, rain or shine.
6. Just a couple of months ago, Yoko took his wife to Thailand where he combined his passion with his love and took her for a tandem jump descent. This was perhaps just the start – for I know that Yoko wanted dearly to take his wife to see the world after his retirement from military service next year.
7. Members of the Commando Formation will miss the good-nurtured nagging, the guidance and friendship of this “大哥” in being steadfast, hardworking and committed to his job, family and friends. Yoko aspired to be nothing more than ordinary; we only realize the extraordinary impact he has left on us now that he has gone.
