How Carmen Edmonds found her meaning of Merdeka at sea

Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara - loyalty to king and country - was the driving force behind Lt Commander Carmen Rosemary Edmonds' 20-year naval career. Representing Malaysia in netball and hockey at a young age, Edmonds joined the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Reserve in 1974 at the age of 23, eventually becoming the first woman to serve as a training officer aboard a naval ship, KLD Tunas Samudera.

As a female serving at sea, Edmonds faced unique challenges such as adapting to the wind while wearing a skirt uniform, which she overcame by placing pebbles along the hem to keep it in place. Life aboard KLD Tunas Samudera also required Edmonds to be just as self-reliant as the male crew members, exemplified by her encouragement of hesitant crew members during a storm.

After retiring in 2001, Edmonds continued her service by becoming active in her neighborhood association, improving the community around her. Today, she views Merdeka not just as independence but as a responsibility towards the country and fellow citizens, emphasizing that it is an ongoing commitment to contribute to the nation.