Before I proceed, I would like, on behalf of the Ting family
and friends and relatives of Lawrence, to express our thanks
to Superintendent Yang of the Chinese Military Academy.
I think that nothing would be more honorable and befitting to Lawrence than to have the Academy Color draped over his
urn.

　On that particular night, I suddenly received a phone call
from Sylvia. I did not even know where she wanted me to go.
She asked me to get into the car and I did as I was told. She told me that we were going to Fu Rong Building and that's where we went! I was the second person to be on the scene and stayed with Arthur until Lawrence was moved to the morgue.

　During that time frame, I seemed to visualize a Lawrence dressed in military uniform. As I started to reminisce, it dawned on me that at any time, no matter what Lawrence was wearing, whether in business suits, casuals or other types of clothing, underneath, he was always a man in military uniform. I am not certain whether there is such a military saying : "Once a soldier, always a solider." And, I feel he was that kind of a man.

　A moment ago, there was a special mention about his serving as Vice Chairman of the Taipei Olympic Committee. I had a feeling that the full charging strategies he took could be likened to that of a soldier attacking the enemy lines in the battle zone. We would never have thought the term "Chinese Taipei" used at that time would continue to be used in our country's external endeavors up to now.

　When I saw him lying there, covered with a yellow sheet, the picture that flashed to my mind was the sight of Lawrence dressed in military attire. He was a soldier who died on the bridgehead in a bid to protect his reputation and prove his innocence. Half a century ago, in a joint-session of the House of Congress and House of Senate in the United States, there was an old soldier who sang the song:

Old soldier never dies, never dies, never dies,
Old soldier never dies, he fades away……

However, Lawrence was not an old solider. He was a young soldier, a capable soldier, so he chose to die on the bridgehead.

　With the call of taps, the lights went out, our soldier - Lawrence S. Ting rested. But before the lights were out, his illumination should not be measured in candlelight. Considering many of his accomplishments, especially those achieved in Vietnam, which we heard being mentioned by many, I think his light outshone all the lights in this hall put together.

　Now that light is out after the taps, he has gone to sleep, a long sleep. The Bible told us that the Lord is the only one we can depend on. He has been our refuge through all the generations. He is our Creator and all our possessions belong to Him.

　A Chinese scholar once said: "Not knowing about life, how could one know about death." We do not truly understand life and death; just as imparted by earlier speakers, we really do not know. This is a profound mystery. We only know that life comes from God and death returns us to Him.

　In the Bible it was mentioned: "Time to live, time to die." To us, we feel that Lawrence has departed too early. But left us he has. How precious is the last two sentences in Psalm 90 we have just read: "And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." He has left us, we pray that the Lord would safeguard all his works, and that many of his colleagues and his children can assume this responsibility. We pray that the Lord would continue to uphold these works, just as expressed by earlier speakers, especially as imparted by Mr. Nguyen Van-Huan, the former deputy mayor of Ho Chi Minh city.

　Finally, we found a crucifix in his pocket. This crucifix was given to him by his wife. In his will, he made a special mention of this crucifix "I left with your crucifix". The crucifix is very significant to us, the believers.

　We are sinners who could ask forgiveness and mercy under the crucifix. Regardless of what others may say, we will all be waiting for the final judgment before our Lord Jesus. For now, we shall entrust Lawrence under the crucifix of our Lord Jesus.

　Before leaving this world, there were things in his pocket; some were immaterial, but inside this pocket there was a crucifix. This crucifix was handed over to Arthur. Although Joyce was nearby, only Arthur and I were in the room, that is why I saw the crucifix. This crucifix was taken out of Lawrence's pocket and given to Arthur for safekeeping. I hope the descendants of the Ting family will remember this crucifix he has left to them; and to know our beloved is now under the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ - our only dependable source of strength to overcome.

　I recall the story of another soldier -- Emperor Constantine. The night before his decisive battle, he dreamt of the crucifix. On this cross, there were some words inscribed "In this sign shalt thou conquer." Constantine won the war and established his kingdom.

　I hope that children of Lawrence, his many colleagues and many others can all gain victory in life through the Cross. Led by the Cross we will surely win. So, let us all cling tightly onto the Cross!

　Let us sing the final hymn. We can sense the meaning of this hymn as befitting -- "Sun Of My Soul, Thou Saviour Dear".

　I would like to thank all of you for attending this memorial service. The service has been lengthy, but if we are his friends, we will feel that each word about Mr. Ting is very necessary. I ask the family members to please turn around and take a bow to thank the participants.

　May the Grace of Lord Jesus, the Love of our Heavenly Father, and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit be with Lawrence, member of the Ting family and all of us from now to eternity. Amen.