JAZAN: By nature men love their families and prefer to remain in the midst of loved ones and lead a quiet life.
However, there are certain national duties that demand they leave their wives and children and go to the battlefield to fight for their country.
Soldiers of the Saudi armed forces remain at the border posts 24 hours a day, seven days a week despite their yearning to go back to their homes. They fight at the borders because they are motivated by a deep sense of patriotism. Their desire to defend their fatherland makes them suppress all their personal interests.
Saeed Al-Sanhani, a soldier, said he responded to the call of the nation. In his view defending one’s country was more important than his personal interests and even his own life.
“I have left behind my parents, wife and two kids. I yearn to see them, kiss them but how can I remain at home when my country is ravaged by foreign infiltrators, my fellow countrymen in the border villages are terrorized and security men are killed,” Al-Sanhani said.
Another soldier, Miteb Al-Malki, a native of the Asir province, said he left all his family at home and joined the army to defend the land against all those who launch attacks on Saudi borders.
He said the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is to guard every inch of the land. “They put their trust in us, the soldiers of the country, while we stick to what the rulers order: that we choose between a victory and liberation of the country from enemies, or martyrdom in the battlefield.
He added that his children, wife and parents used to be his only concern in life but the security of the country is now above them all. His small children want him back at home, which is what every soldier’s sons and daughters wish for. Yet at the same time they are praying for the country’s success against the criminal infiltrators.
Al-Malki’s two sons, Ali and Muhammad, sent text messages encouraging him to continue his fighting at the borders. “Our father is a hero fighting for the defense of the nation,” they said in the message.
Ali said his father’s absence is deeply annoying. But the fact that he is defending the country as well as other children like him is something that helps him to endure the pain. He looks forward to embracing him again. Ali also wants to celebrate with his father to make up for the Eid Al-Adha he recently spent without him.
His brother Abdul Rahman said his school has reopened and wishes his father would drive him there like all other children. He however realizes that his duty to the country is more important than taking him to school and prays for his success and safe return home with sweets and toys.
