The nation was left reeling yesterday (April 23) following a tragic accident that shook the Lumut Naval Base during the celebration parade marking the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).
According to TLDM, the 10 victims were seven crew members from the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and three Fennec crew members.
Defense minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin also revealed the heartbreaking detail that all those who perished were under the age of 40.
‘One day when I’m gone, read this, my child’
Among the lives lost was Leading Seaman JJM Joanna Felicia Rohna, who was onboard the ill-fated M503-3 HOM aircraft.
Joanna’s untimely demise brought to light a poignant reflection of her life, as netizens stumbled upon a post she shared on her Facebook page on July 12, 2023, which subsequently went viral.
In the post, Joanna poured out her heart, expressing her deep emotions towards her eldest child. She depicted her child as her pillar of strength and the source of her resilience, contrary to the societal notion that she was the caregiver.
They say I took care of you. In reality, you are the one who cared for my soul until now.
However, the tone of the post shifted towards the end, resonating with a haunting prescience. Joanna urged her child to revisit her words if she were to depart this world prematurely.
“One day when I’m gone and you remember me as a strict mother, then read this, my child. Regardless of what the world may say, you will always be my first love, forever. A warm embrace from your imperfect mother.”
Read the heart-wrenching post here:
Joanna’s words remind us how precious life is and to hold our loved ones close. As the nation mourns the loss of these brave souls, her words serve as a reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones and to honour the memory of those who are no longer with us.
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