Post National Day Farm Outing With The Health Minister

The weekend after our nation's 51st birthday, the folks and I went on a half-day farm tour organized by the community club. We gathered at the pickup point where two chartered buses were already waiting to pick us up. 

It wasn't until that morning itself that we realize our MP, Health Minister Gan would also be joining us on this half-day tour. However, I did not see him until very much later when we are back at the community club after the tour (I will come to that at the end of this post). 

After doing a head count, we finally set off for the farms.

Sing Singapore: 那些年，我们唱的歌!

Still remember Sing Singapore?

I unearthed from the storeroom this Sing Singapore songbook which I received from my primary school about 28 years ago. It comprises of patriotic songs which we sing during national day and school events. I still remember singing these songs in the school hall with my classmates!

We do still hear some of these songs being sung during national day but there are others which we have not heard in ages! Since NDP2016 and SG51 is round the corner, let us reminisce the songs that we sang those years ago!

A Letter For My Nation: Why Do I Serve?

Dear Singapore,

When I went to BMT many years ago, my PC asked us this question: "Why do we serve?"

Hands began going up into the air and several answers given by the recruits but non of the replies seemed to impress him much.

Throwing up his arms in despair (ok, I made that one up), this was what he said to us, "This, is YOUR country; YOUR territory. Here is where YOUR home, YOUR property, and all YOUR loved ones are. If YOU don't protect her, WHO will?

His answer hit me in the face like a wake-up call. As I lay in bed that night, I keep repeating that answer to myself, "If I don't, WHO will?"

There were plenty more to what my PC said earlier that day under the training shed but these are the most impactful words from him which helped me to survive my two years of conscription.

Boys like me, who had been forcefully taken away from our comfort zone the moment we turned eighteen years old were thrown into a unfamiliar environment where the toughest training awaits.

Of course, there were good times and not-so-good times. At times, when the training gets a little too tough, I would remind myself of the reason why I served.