Funeral for a Friend

Daniel Ng,

1980 -2012

Yesterday, I received a message from my Blackberry Messenger Group, that a comrade of ours, from the days of Victoria Institution Cadet Corps Band, Retired Warrant Officer II, Daniel Eng, passed away. Without noticing, tears were racing down my cheeks. I have not seen the man for 13 years. But the feeling knowing he is somewhere in Singapore, gave me false comfort.

Daniel to my batch, was not only a comrade in the Corps, he was a tutor, a companion, a cheer leader, a very kind hearted man. The Drum Major of our Corps, he touched our souls with his friendship, his kindness and best of all, his honesty. A man full of laughter, always seeing the positive sides of everything. He was very special to me. He basically recruited me to join the band. We were peers, we got beaten up together, marched together, learned our bass solos together and by the end of the parade, we will walk home together, sharing views and hopes for the band. He played the Sousaphone, I played the Bass Trombone

A man ahead of his time, loved by many friends, respected by fellow bandsmen and feared by other bands' Drum Major. Some said he was too fat to be the Drum Major, well, he proved them wrong. He stood tall, with the mace in his left arm, and the pipers cape to seal his deal.

He was attacked by stroke, in Singapore. I rallied up my batch, and we decided to meet up on 3rd of March. I hope I can see all of them, death ironically, brings people together. Life is to be cherished, will death, is just another step in our journey.

Daniel, I know you can read this, I am missing you buddy. I'd give the world if I can just hear you nagging me about not polishing my boots, or how my hair is too long to be one of the officers. I thank you for your friendship, and I value your advise. I still can remember the path we took to Klang Bus Stand, after parades. I envy you and your rock hard spirit, your positive thinking and your majestic presence in front of the bandsmen. My life wouldn't be the same. and I am not sure how I am going to hold my tears when I meet the rest of the gang next week. Rest easy buddy.

This is Retired Sergeant Jimmy Najib, signing off.