“A High School Student’s Interview with BGen Danny Lim”

“A High School Student’s Interview with BGen Danny Lim”
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 8:54pm
Mark Angelo Enriquez

I would like to share this interview that I found in the internet. Enjoy reading! Saludo talaga ako kay Heneral Danny Lim!

Six (6) questions were asked of him by this child on 22 October 2007.

1. Did you intend to become a soldier?
2. Who and what inspired you to become one?
3. What did you expect life in the military?
4. Do you feel fulfilled or frustrated as a soldier?
5. Will you encourage the youth to become a soldier and serve the country?
6. Who is your personal hero and why?

Q#1. Did you intend to become a soldier?

Ans: As a young man, soldiery as a profession was farthest from my mind. Had we the means to support my college studies, (taking up a course I truly like), I should either be a physician or an engineer now. Even with a college scholarship, other expenses were still considerable. I was a freshman at UP when some classmates (some had elder brothers at PMA) convinced me to to take the entrance exam for PMA with them. I did very well in the exam and eventually decided to enter the Academy. After one year at PMA, I took another competitive exam for USMA at West Point and was lucky to be selected to represent the country as a member of USMA class ‘78. Having gone through all the preparations for a military career (1 yr at PMA and 4 yrs at West Point), while not initially inclined to it, I have embraced and learned to love the vocation.

Q#2. Who and what inspired you to become one?

Ans: Honestly, no one in particular inspired me to become a soldier. My mother was so much against the idea of me, the youngest of her 5 boys, entering the Academy that she must have gone to all the churches she could go to praying that I flunk the entrance exam. I guess pragmatic considerations and some “peer pressure” from my UP freshman classmates helped me become one.

Q#3. What did you expect life in the military?

Ans: I expected that life in the military would be difficult and would offer challenges that not very many would experience. That in many ways, it is, in a sense, tantamount to sacrifice. I expected the kind of training that would build character, instill discipline and imbue one with the moral courage to arm him for the realities associated with the chosen profession. I expected professionalism at all levels.

Q#4. Do you feel fulfilled or frustrated as a soldier?

Ans: I feel fulfilled having developed that character and sense of self-discipline I believe I have put to good use in all the modest accomplishments I have undertaken while performing my sworn duties. I am blessed by the many experiences I’ve gone through which you can’t find if you’re not in the military. I am frustrated when I observe that the actions and attitudes of our leaders (both civilian and military) sharply contrast with the ideals that we were supposed to have internalized.

Q#5. Will you encourage the youth to become a soldier and serve the country?

Ans: Even with all its defects (mainly the faults of senior military people who have allowed themselves to be prostituted by partisan considerations and personal aggrandizement), the military remains a noble and honorable profession. I would encourage our young people to join the service. But one word of caution, be prepared for its disappointments. It is not a perfect organization.

Q#6. Who is your personal hero and why?

Ans: My personal hero and a very dear friend - Haydee Yorac. She embodied everything - good, right, just and the truth. This is not my first time to be detained for my principles and convictions. For my involvement in the Dec ‘89 military rebellion, I was jailed for almost three years. During those times, Haydee was a frequent visitor. And we have maintained our very close friendship till the time she went ahead of us. If she were alive today, she would be lawyering for me.

Source: http://sk-sk.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=37768262231&topic=6303