Opinion by Jayakhmer
On the web at http://modernprogressivekhmer.blogspot.com
As I sift through the headline news from Cambodia, I found much depression news of political defections, political maneuverings, finger pointing, mud slinging, and political scapegoating.
Then, BAM!!! Thank you K I Media for posting the story.
The story of Ben Nhem hits me as though someone was throwing a bucket of cold icy water on my face in the otherwise sleepy afternoon of a hot day. As I read the story, I could not contain all the emotions that ran though my mind. The Ben Nhem's story was a story of what is right with Khmer people. It was a story of courage, of resilient, and of survival. It was a story of human triumph over obstacles, and it was a story of extraordinary human being.
Although I am very proud of Ben Nhem who was recognized and honored with an Order of Australia medal for his devotions to the community, the people, and the country he loved, it was the narrative of his life that truly moved me.
His life's story touched my heart because he represents hundred of thousands of us whose lives have been impacted by the war and the devastation that caused by Indochina War and the Khmer Rouge. He represents those of us whose parent or parents and relatives were murdered mercilessly by the Khmer Rouge. He represents all of us who work very hard on a daily to defy all odds in foreign lands whose people love and fully embraced us. These lands and its people give us new lives with endless opportunities to be educated, to pursuit our dreams, and to live with dignity.
The memory of the Khmer Rouge regime while it is not so fresh to those who involved in the heinous acts is very fresh for all of us who are the victims. This is why the Khmer Rouge tribunal, may be served as a pawn in a political chest game for others, it is very important for us. Doing it right means a great deal to all of us who want to close this darkest chapter in our lives.
The Ben Nhem story should be a constant reminder to all our leaders that their actions whether they realize it or not impact million of innocent lives.
As a Khmer in a foreign land, I would like to join my fellow Cambodians across the globe in congratulating Mr. Ben Nhem.
Congratulations!!!
Jayakhmer
Then, BAM!!! Thank you K I Media for posting the story.
The story of Ben Nhem hits me as though someone was throwing a bucket of cold icy water on my face in the otherwise sleepy afternoon of a hot day. As I read the story, I could not contain all the emotions that ran though my mind. The Ben Nhem's story was a story of what is right with Khmer people. It was a story of courage, of resilient, and of survival. It was a story of human triumph over obstacles, and it was a story of extraordinary human being.
Although I am very proud of Ben Nhem who was recognized and honored with an Order of Australia medal for his devotions to the community, the people, and the country he loved, it was the narrative of his life that truly moved me.
His life's story touched my heart because he represents hundred of thousands of us whose lives have been impacted by the war and the devastation that caused by Indochina War and the Khmer Rouge. He represents those of us whose parent or parents and relatives were murdered mercilessly by the Khmer Rouge. He represents all of us who work very hard on a daily to defy all odds in foreign lands whose people love and fully embraced us. These lands and its people give us new lives with endless opportunities to be educated, to pursuit our dreams, and to live with dignity.
The memory of the Khmer Rouge regime while it is not so fresh to those who involved in the heinous acts is very fresh for all of us who are the victims. This is why the Khmer Rouge tribunal, may be served as a pawn in a political chest game for others, it is very important for us. Doing it right means a great deal to all of us who want to close this darkest chapter in our lives.
The Ben Nhem story should be a constant reminder to all our leaders that their actions whether they realize it or not impact million of innocent lives.
As a Khmer in a foreign land, I would like to join my fellow Cambodians across the globe in congratulating Mr. Ben Nhem.
Congratulations!!!
Jayakhmer
