TUTONG

THE services of retired army personnel to the country will always be remembered by His Majesty, said a former military man yesterday.

Chairman of the Ex-Army Personnel Association Tutong branch or 'Persatuan Bekas Perajurit Negara Brunei Darussalam (PBPNBD)' PW2 (Rtd) Hj Marsal Hj Talip said this is reflected in the way His Majesty The Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam “always cares” for them and invites them for national celebrations.

“Every year, it does not matter how old we are or where we retired army veterans live, His Majesty never forgets to invite us to celebrations such as this,” the 66-year-old said.

Hj Marsal, who began his service in 1971 and retired in 1996, said this was the fifth consecutive time the PBPNBD Tutong branch joined the session and they looked forward to work with the Tutong District Office to join next year’s celebration.

He also wished His Majesty good health and prayed for a long and peaceful ruling of the Sultanate.

Another retiree, Hj Jamath Durani, said he never gets tired of attending the meet-and-greet every year because it is not every day that one gets to meet the Sultan.

“I joined the Land Force in 1974 and retired in 1994 and Alhamdulillah I still have the good health to join this event every year.

“Seeing the army cadets in their march past brings back fond memories of when I was in my youth and able to be march like they did, stomping the grounds and doing my country and our ruler proud,” the 59-year-old said.

Though it has been years since their service ended, the retired personnel proudly sang and saluted when the national anthem was played.

They joined hundreds of Tutong residents who greeted His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on his 69th birthday in the district yesterday.

The Brunei Times