yeah....Things will only get better

I think I know this guy. He was the parade RSM for one of the parades that I took part in during my NSF days. Not too sure what's his last appointment.

Yes, the smoking culture in SAF is very severe. You see new recruits coming in as non-smokers, or rather they declared themseleves to be so, but well, soon after, you'll not be surprised to see a "smoking platoon" formed up as they make their way for a smoking break.

I don't deny that there are positive aspects of smoking. But somehow the cons outweigh them.

The bonding among smokers is something that is very unique. People from all walks of life, different ranks and grades can just gather togther and puff to their heart's content.

I shan't go on about the not so positive aspects of smoking. But this article, sends a timely reminder to all.

RIP, Encik Mike.

*******

THE NEW PAPER
Too late to take his kids' advice
Smoker dad dies of lung cancer oneday before Father's Day

By Shree Ann Mathavan

MOST families celebrate Father's Day with an outing or a meal at a restaurant.

But these two children spent all of yesterday saying goodbye to their beloved dad.

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Mike Gee, 44, died of lung cancer on Saturday, after an 18-month battle with the disease.

Tanned, trim and a fitness buff, the army warrant officer thought of himself as an unlikely victim. A social smoker, he stuck to only a stick or two a day, away from his children.

Even so, his son, 11, and daughter, 8, would beg their dad to kick the habit, said his widow, who only wished to be known as Mrs Gee.

They would point out anti-smoking health warnings displayed in public, telling him, 'Daddy don't smoke'.

He would respond: 'No lah, so healthy, won't get cancer.'

It was a rude shock then, when he fell ill suddenly.

He didn't have any symptoms, other than back pain, which he initially wrote off as a golf injury.

But in November 2005, just after his 10th wedding anniversary, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The doctor told MWO Gee he only had three months to live - the cancer had already spread to his bones and most of his major organs.

MWO Gee quit smoking and spent more time with his family, such as going on beach outings.

They also went on holiday to Pulau Pangkor, Malaysia in June last year.

HAPPY MEMORIES

Mrs Gee, 42, said: 'My favourite memory of him is him hugging the children, going on holidays and all the good times we shared.'

His daughter made him a card, saying that she loved him very much and that he must get better soon.

She also promised in the card to visit him every day.

Despite the doctor's initial assessment, MWO Gee managed to keep the disease at bay for more than a year before succumbing.

Mrs Gee told The New Paper her husband called the children to his bed just before he died.

She said: 'He told them he was going to heaven but he would remain forever in their hearts, just that they would not be able to see him. The kids cried when they heard that.'

They were by his side when he died.

The family spent Father's Day yesterday at his wake in Choa Chu Kang.

PARTING WORDS

Mrs Gee said her husband had a final message to his family and friends before he died.

'He said, 'Don't smoke, get proper health insurance and be sure to spend precious quality time with your family'.'

Mrs Gee, who is unemployed, said this was a message he would repeat to friends after he was diagnosed with cancer.

She added that MWO Gee was a good husband and dad.

About 50 of Mr Gee's friends were at the wake yesterday, fondly reminiscing about the 'good times' they shared with him.

Army officer Gerry Ng, 29, who has known MWO Gee for seven years, said: 'He was a real father figure, always calm and professional.'