My Father recently told me about a saying that goes in the Air Force about Fighter Pilots. The saying goes, "They live like Tigers and die like Dogs". That has been etched in my mind ever since and I have always looked up to these men in uniform with utmost respect whenever I accompany my Father to the Ex-Servicemen Offices. I get to see so many war veterans standing in line for concessions, medical treatments etc. Some have done well for themselves, while a lot of these war heroes live only on the meagre pensions that they receive. It is very sad that these veterans have put their life on the live wire, to make sure our freedom is intact within the boundaries of our nation. A lot of these brave warriors give their life in the process of protecting us and this is the least that we can do. To Pay Respect to the Brave who have given their lives for us, for we are indebted to their sacrifices.

Indian Air Force Veteran Biren Yadav Wrote this on his Timeline :-

Yesterday, I was at the Hindon Air Force base for the funeral of 5 Brave Air Warriors of 77 Squadron, who were involved in the recent air crash in Uttarakhand. Amongst them was our dear late Wg Cdr P Joshi (Late Wg Cdr Prashant Joshi was the Son of Veteran Gp Capt Ashok Joshi and Son-in-law of Veteran Wg Cdr SU "Suzy" Apte, both ace Fighter pilots who are now settled at Pune. Late WgCdr Joshi leaves behind his wife Sqn Ldr (retd) Anita Joshi and two small children of age 8 and 2. Late Wg Cdr Joshi was cleared for Promotion to the next Rank as Gp Capt and was slated to take over as CO of No 77 Sqn equipped with Hercules Super 130J ) It was a very sad moment. The Station arranged their farewell with honour and the dignity that they truly deserved. The loss of so many from a squadron is unimaginable and devastating. The Squadron officers proudly saluted their comrades knowing very well they have lost the best.

What hurt the most was that, not a SINGLE representative from the Ministry of Defence was present nor had any decency to drive down to Hindon to pay the Brave their last respect. Not one from the politician class, could find time for the same. Only Gen VK Singh was there. This can happen only in our country. This hurts a lot, especially to veterans like us. Only soldiers, no matter what colour or country they belong to or the language they speak, understand the final respect a brave comrade deserves.

Conversely, in Pittsburgh, PA the body of one Air Force capt who died in an air crash was brought home for his last respect. His route to the Funeral Home was announced with timings on all TV stations.

I was astonished and moved to see all residents of Alleghany County were up at 8 AM lined up on the described route, when the temp was -20 degrees Fahrenheit and it was snowing heavily. It was a moving scene to see two year olds, 80 year olds and pregnant women lined up to pay their respect to the departed soldier.

No one has been able to explain why young men and women serve in the Military for 20 years or more, risking their lives to protect your freedom and mine, only get 50% of their pay on retirement. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the Capital, are protected by these same men and women and receive Full Pay on their retirement after serving just one term. The least they can do is pay homage to the brave who gave their lives to protect their freedom.

Every country, including India, should respect their soldiers and Veterans. moved to tears when I think about those men and women in uniform and the lives they have protected by their ultimate sacrifice. May they all rest in peace with other comrades in arm.