FELLOWSHIP MORNING COFFEE – 2 RRD AND BHC (03 JUL 24)
1. When the idea for a Veteran RRD Officers (Perak)/2 RRD gathering was casually mooted with the Command, very thumping, the response was positive with a strong affirmative. Subsequently on 03 Jul 24 (1000 – 1130hrs), a simple but meaningful and impactful gathering was held at Officer Mess 2 RRD. Apart from the many in Ipoh, Veteran Officers from as far as Batu Kurau, Kuala Kangsar and Kampar made the effort to attend.
2. Seeing each other after many decades was truly touching for all. There were strong hugs, teary expressions and sharing of memorable formative experiences together. It was a truly touching session that was filled with nostalgia and laughter.
3. The morning session commenced with casual reconnecting, followed by a simple, sumptuous meal, welcoming / thanking speeches, signing of visitation book and group photograph. In his welcoming speech, Lt Kol Kamarul Bahrin came out with some defining and groundbreaking initiatives. Gist of his speech as follows:
a. Congratulated Black Hackle Club (Perak Chapter) for coming forth, engaging with 2 RRD, opening the door for close interaction between 2 RRD and RRD Veteran Officers. This truly encouraging turnout serves as a testimony of its success and indirectly serves as the launchpad for further like-minded interactive events.
b. Given this encouraging response and heart-warming interaction, 2 RRD would undertake to pursue this further by working closely with Black Hackle Club and initiate more such gatherings. At this stage, it was proposed for similar gatherings to be done every two months with the next gathering set for the first week of Sep 24. Further details would be made known sometime mid-August 24.
c. An update of 2 RRD’s next regimental focus being changing of colours (Pertukaran Panji Panji Rejimen) that would be held at 4 RRD, Kangar, Perlis in mid-Oct 24. It would be an honour to have all veteran officers on hand to witness this auspicious event. 2 RRD would be reaching out to all veterans, BHC for address details and would subsequently coordinate with Urusetia RRD for formal invitation process.
d. As we all come from the same fraternity, all veterans should be foreign and are most welcome to drop by, visit or optimise this Ranger Corps Officers Mess and treat it is your home as well. Please always feel welcome, reach out to us to accommodate any request, and make this place lively. Be excellent if this mess serves as the melting pot for all, enhance established comradeship and remain as a closely knit identity.
4. Almost all attending veterans felt overwhelmed with the generosity, kindness and the depth of the sincerity expressed with these openings. Though these initiatives were not rocket science but are essentially simple revolutionary avenues towards building elements of belongings and reinstalling comradeship. Well done to CO 2 RRD. Dato’ Nazrul Edgar in his speech:
a. Extended all veterans heartfelt thanks, appreciation to 2 RRD for putting in the effort into organising this event and introducing these defining initiatives. Hopefully this would trigger all Perak based veterans to positively support and, in a way, stimulate other Ranger Battalions to pursue such conceptual similar events in their own vicinity.
b. Good, sterling efforts must be recognised and the Command of 2 RRD has always been extremely considerate and going beyond in extending welfare assistance to all veterans. Case in point was for needed protocol/support dedicated to the late Lt Kol Cheong Lai Huat, Mej Affendy bin Md Yusoff, PW Bakar bin Mohamed, PW Kamsani and Sjn Ahmad Zambry, just to name a few.
c. Finally, we very much look forward to details of the next event, come Sep 24, hopefully this be well supported especially with there is speculation that Lt Kol Kamarul Bahrin is being scouted for posting.
5. The sharing of amusing stories and recalling all memorable incidents was vibrant throughout the session. One of the more defining strengths of such long lost meeting ups was how effortless one was able to slip into the old days that is filled with strong brotherhood and comradeship. Despite pursuing different trajectories, there was some common ground to reminisce the elements of learning, seeing, recollecting, influence and affable that was apparent, and continues to remain a hallmark.
6. All good things must come to an end, we slowly bided our farewells with the promise to remain in contact, stay digitally connected and register the date in Sep 24.
7. This gathering would not have been possible without the commitment and wholehearted assistance of the CO, all officers, and other ranks of 2 RRD. A big thank you and we are truly impressed.
Written by Dato Nazrul Edgar bin Abdullah
