“My Husband is a People’s Soldier”

My husband was a staff officer (third class officer) in the army. He was attending a training course during February and March. When I asked him what should we do to bring the elected government back into power, he said, “All of the military personnel would have to come to the people’s side.” He said it at the beginning of February. So, I told my friends about it. They also enthusiastically posted on social media telling soldiers and officers from the military to defect to the people’s side. I was also posting and sharing posts about revolution myself. My friends were worried about me and warned me to stop sharing posts. But I was sure I won’t have a clear conscience if I stay silent in the face of injustice. I also urged my husband to take an action. I told him how the civilians were suffering daily. He also didn’t like how the military’s wrongdoings but he wasn’t ready for the consequences if he defected. He was worried about the livelihood of our family. After all, becoming a deserter has heavy consequences. Eventually, when he had to confront his people, his indecision came to an end. He told me that this job didn’t fit him. He was very close with the populace. He couldn’t be cruel to those who pay for his food and worried about him. He just couldn’t follow the absurd orders of his uppers. He felt bitter toward those that put him against his own people. He asked me if I could bear against the upcoming struggles if he decided to defect. I could. Because I wanted to stay clear of an organization that had no sympathy for the masses. I don’t want my children and their children to lose face because of us. I don’t want my descendants to feel hatred from other people. We have empathy for everyone so we don’t want to jumble up with others. So, we decided to face whatever comes our way and stand for truth and justice.

Support and Encouragement for her husband as a wife

    We were pretty restless on the first day of taking part in the civil disobedience movement. I told him, “We are part of creating history now,” as an encouragement. He also comforted me by saying that our descendants would never have to be ashamed of our actions. “I stood with the people so I am part of the people,” he continued. Even if the side of truth and justice is in minority, he would stand for them. He had to come to the safe place with many difficulties. I did what is necessary so that he could reach there. I had to go alone to some places because it was crucial for his security. I want to say that we, their wives, also have to be brave and support their right cause. This is for our next generations. We don’t want our children to live under a corrupted system. We don’t have any kids yet. But we always imagined having children and loved them so much even if they are imaginations. I am sure some of the officers and soldiers will have children. I urge you to think about their future. They are innocent and we don’t want any taint in their lives. We don’t want them to be rejected by society. We don’t want any guilt-ridden conscience for ourselves or our offspring. Please reconsider your choices. I don’t want to live on the side of injustice. If you want to be loved as people’s soldiers, there are many paths already laid. You just need to choose those paths.

Thank you very much.

Su Thitser Zaw

Translated to English by Annymous