The Revolution Begins

Abstract

This chapter marks the start of the Karen Revolution and the start of Saw Ralph's journey as a soldier. At Karen New Year on December 29, 1948, a number of bursts of rifle fire and automatic gunfire were directed at the Karen quarters in Insein. That was the beginning of the revolution. While his family was preparing to evacuate, Saw Ralph snuck out to the front line without their knowledge. He craved adventure. After receiving a gun, Saw Ralph went to the front line with his coworkers, thus beginning his career as a soldier at the battle of Insein—the first major battle of the Karen Revolution. He was eighteen years old. He had made up his mind that he would stay until he died or could no longer fight. He was there at the very beginning of the revolution, in that first life-changing battle, and he stayed for the next five decades.