{"id":86495,"date":"2025-08-27T00:21:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T04:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeburmarangers.org\/?p=86495"},"modified":"2025-08-27T00:21:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T04:21:19","slug":"pasaung-battle-reflections-a-poem-by-david-eubank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.freeburmarangers.org\/my\/2025\/08\/27\/pasaung-battle-reflections-a-poem-by-david-eubank\/","title":{"rendered":"Pasaung Battle Reflections: A Poem by David Eubank"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pasaung Battle Reflections: A Poem by David Eubank <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

26 August 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karenni State, Burma<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
(Click above to watch video).<\/strong><\/em>
Please be advised: This video contains scenes that may be disturbing for some viewers.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“Not satan\u2018s will, nor my will, but God\u2018s will alone be done,” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

was my prayer on each evacuation run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running into battle, mortars all around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jets diving fast, you can tell it by the sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bombs released and exploding, sometimes only yards away, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

wondering how you lived through it, knowing someone prayed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting up again and going forward, bullets now snapping by your face, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

getting to the wounded is a life-or-death race.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dave carrying a wounded KNDF soldier.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peter running to find wounded in Burma Army trench line<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You find them, pick them up, there\u2019s moaning and thrashing around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medics are gathered over, the bambulance is coming down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My son Pete beside me, calm and cool, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

helping carry the wounded, he\u2019s just out of school. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peter helps to carry wounded in bambulance.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We pick them up and run back, the same gauntlet of steel, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

moving so fast we\u2019re not really sure how we feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We race out of the direct fire but indirect is still on us, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

the jets come again and now they\u2019re upon us. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Inside the Burma Army camp during the battle.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR carrying supplies and looking to help those in need inside the Burma Army camp during the battle. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We dive down once more, while, as gently as we can, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

lowering the patient to the rocks, ground, or sand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up again we go when the plane\u2019s afterburners flare by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all these actions in the front, I still haven\u2019t seen anyone cry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We get down to the CCP, the forward one that is, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

in a trench, a hole in the jungle, or under a bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Yar Su and other FBR medics treating a wounded KNDF soldier at forward CCP. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

More medics are waiting there with loving, strong, and able hands, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

to staunch the blood-flow, bind the wounds, and hold a healing hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, our radiomen call back to the main CCP and surgery, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

saying, \u201cWe\u2019ve got a red, and a green, and a yellow, on our way as fast as we can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A vehicle comes up from hiding, camo nets torn off the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Rangers jump down and pick up the wounded as the ground is shook <\/p>\n\n\n\n

by another jet fighter\u2019s bombs landing close to us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember seeing the glow of the cockpit as he lined up for his final thrust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rockets came in low and fast, screaming into the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More shrapnel hit around us as we lay there, deafened by the sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up again we lift the wounded and slam the tailgate home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The driver takes off quickly, and now here come the drones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drive goes down a long and winding road, getting shot at sometimes on the way, around, and from above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To our hiding place that we carefully prayed and selected for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are more Rangers waiting by the doors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The casualties are put down into more willing, loving hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A prayer is prayed over each victim as they are carried by our men. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Coby and Peter unloading wounded from vehicle.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now into the CCP, which can be tarps on the jungle floor, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

or maybe a building that survived on the edge of a town, or the house next door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our medics and senior doctors are there to help as they can, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

to keep the patients in the living land. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR medics treating wounded in main CCP. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
KNDF and FBR medics and Doctor Myo treating wounded.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

My wife, Karen, and daughters, Sahale and Suu, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

are helping the wounded at the CCP too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This choreography of healing hands, medicine, and steel, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

is provided by people who deeply feel.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Suu and Karen treating an infant villager.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Sahale and FBR medic Curtis treating wounded.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
FBR’s Dr. Ben and Ranger medics treating wounded in second CCP.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It takes a lot of work and care and teamwork too, you see, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

to run a helpful, healing, and life-saving CCP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop the bleeding, restore the breathing, giving of whole blood,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

needle decompressions, and IV lines, and more blood. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR medics treating wounded, who shows shrapnel removed. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Suu and Rangers donating blood at the CCP.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Wounded FBR medic receiving an IV<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here another radio call is made for a different vehicle set, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

to take the casualties back, crossing a major river to get better care yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes that means one or two days driving to a hospital in hiding,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

where eager CDM surgeons are waiting and are abiding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it means you can cross the border to Thailand,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

where highly professional, loving, doctors again keep the living in this land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are grateful for all the people, from the frontlines to the back,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and for those of you all who pray that we would have no lack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No lack of medicine, no lack of care, no lack of expertise, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

no lack of God\u2019s presence, and His calming peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On each day of this battle, on each run by foot or truck, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

it was prayer that we relied on – not effort, skill, or luck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through gunfire of all kinds, onto the wounded cries, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLord Jesus, please, not Satan\u2019s will or mine, but only yours.” <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR team members moving to rescue wounded inside Burma Army camp during the fighting.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Wounded being treated outside the camp before movement to CCP<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I said this prayer each time, and went again to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I clung to that prayer and spoke it over myself and our team, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

as we moved forward as if in a bad dream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this particular battle, 250 were wounded and 28 lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eight of our own Rangers wounded, and one paid the ultimate cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His name was Oo Reh, and he was driving evacuation vehicles each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He never failed to smile as he drove into the fray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Burma Army was falling back, placing landmines as they moved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our men moved a mine, it blew, one leg removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We got the call to go get him from deep inside the camp,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and Oo Reh took the wheel, and raced up the ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We found the wounded man, and loaded him in the truck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as we did, we heard a noise, and everyone looked up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jet came screaming down, a metal bird of prey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oo Reh reversed quickly, trying to get out of the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backing up fast, with the wounded loaded in, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter, and Coby, and others, trying to take care of him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was running in front of the vehicle, I had no time to get in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And was right in front of the bumper when the bomb came screaming in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It went over my head and shoulder, and landed not far from me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About three meters, or four, in the midst of small trees. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dave and FBR team members diving to avoid Burma Army bombing.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The explosion rocked the vehicle, and me, and everyone too, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

but no shrapnel hit me, and no blood from me it drew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vehicle suddenly sped up, but I thought it must be okay,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and then I saw it careen off the road, and smash through trees in the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought Oo Reh had lost control, but would still would be okay, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

because if I\u2019d survived so close to the bomb, how could anyone not be okay? <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR vehicle driving to avoid Burma Army bombing. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I ran forward, and the jet turned around and dove for a second pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I screamed to everybody, \u201cGet out of the vehicle, and get out fast!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We started to hit the ground, and I looked up only to see <\/p>\n\n\n\n

my son Peter back at the vehicle trying to get someone free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I yelled at him, \u201cCome back, son, the jet is diving now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You gotta move, you gotta move, there is no time to dally now!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at me with a look of horror on his face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he pulled Oo Reh out of the vehicle, there was blood all over Oo Reh\u2019s face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He yelled, “Wounded! Wounded!” with the cry of a torn heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bravely standing against the fire to try to do his part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bwe Mu was on the other side, pushing Oo Reh out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aung Zaya was coming too, voice raised in a shout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter drug Oo Reh to the street, as the jet came in again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bomb missed us again, and we drug Oo Reh across the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We checked his pulse, looked at his face, then his neck, and could see that he was deceased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jet circled again for the third pass as we carried him down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bwe Mu got the truck running again, and Oo Reh\u2019s body we did load, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

next to the amputee patient already moaning now from the crash. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rangers carrying Oo Reh as jet fighter comes in on third pass.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
FBR loading Oo Reh into the vehicle.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
KNDF and pro-democracy forces with Burma Army soldiers who ran away, as FBR vehicle passes by.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We took off again, and now more bullets came fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the Burma Army was still fighting in that position that day, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

but over 50 more had decided to run away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly we were amongst the runners, and some had their hands in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some kept fighting, and some fell here and there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We weaved through the enemy, and the friendly too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We raced down to our forward CCP, and unloaded the two.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
FBR vehicle weaving through the Burma Army soldiers who ran away en route to forward CCP.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Oo Reh in Coby\u2019s arms in vehicle transport.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"\"<\/a>
The landmine victim in vehicle transport with Oo Reh. <\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The landmine victim was alive, but Oo Reh\u2019s body we lowered to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then our casualty without a leg, we also lifted down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back both went to our rear CCP, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oo Reh for the final washing, and a burial for us to grieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The others were evacuated to Thailand, and to more care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When that battle was over, we were left standing there. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oo Reh’s funeral.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Villagers and families of Burma Army flee the camp<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

That night, the next, and every day, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

the jets came back with a vengeance, bombing and strafing all in their way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of this, and in spite of all of the losses, still, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

there was a muted celebration of Burma Army defeated on that hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We treated wounded from both sides, and villagers in the middle too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And our prayer is that with God’s help, one day, reconciliation will be true. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Coby, Bwe Mu and Aung Zaya grieve the loss of Oo Reh after the evacuation. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks and God bless you, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dave, family, and FBR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n