Commemorating our NS legacy

It was not the best weather to be out. The rain was torrential, the winds were howling and thunder could be heard every five minutes. But for the 1,500 guests gathered under the huge white tentage at the Marina Bay Floating Platform on 30 Oct, there was nowhere else they would rather be.

Spirits were high as national servicemen past and present greeted one another fervently through raised voices in an effort to be heard above the pouring rain. Guest of honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was equally exuberant as he announced the redevelopment of the Floating Platform into a permanent structure and its renaming to NS Square.

"The Marina Bay skyline reminds us of all we have built together, and what we fight to defend," said Mr Lee at the 50 Years of NS (NS50) dinner reception held at the Floating Platform.

"Its (NS Square's) permanence, and prominence, in Marina Bay, will reflect the central role that NS plays in our lives."

NS takes centre stage

A symbol of Singapore's commitment and national servicemen's contributions to NS, the new square will be the key venue for future National Day Parades and boast expanded seating capacity to allow more Singaporeans to experience the parade. An NS Gallery will also be built there to showcase the evolution of NS through various exhibits and organised events.

Paying tribute to generations of national servicemen, Mr Lee said: "Without the NSFs (Full-Time National Servicemen) and NSmen (Operationally Ready National Servicemen) who serve willingly, take their training seriously, and perform operational duties day after day, the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces), the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force could not exist.

"But because regulars and NSmen in the SAF and Home Team have done their duty, Singapore has enjoyed peace and security. Businesses are prepared to invest in Singapore for the long term. People, too, feel safe and confident. Singaporeans and foreigners are happy not just to work here, but also to raise their families here."

He also urged future generations of NSmen to take up their roles with pride. "Ultimately, NS is about making the sacrifices needed to protect our country and our families. This is the common spirit of NS that endures throughout the generations. This is the legacy that we pass 'from my generation to yours'."

In recognition of their dedication to NS, Mr Lee presented NSman of the Year Awards to 28 NSmen from the SAF and Home Team. He also put the finishing touches on an NS50 commemorative painting, which was part of a ground-up initiative by the Singapore Art Society and ST Engineering.

DUTY AND COMMITMENT

Among the NSman of the Year Award recipients was Master Sergeant (MSG) (NS) Muhammad Sa'adiq Bin Abdul Majid. The 32-year-old Company Sergeant Major from 1st General Support Transport Battalion said he was grateful for the strong family support he received whenever he went for In-Camp Training (ICT).

For instance, his wife and mother would take turns to send his three-year-old son to the childcare centre when he is away for ICT.

MSG (NS) Sa'adiq takes his NS commitments seriously, and is also a loving and responsible family man, said his wife, Ms Nurul Nadia Binte Junaidi, 29.

"When I was heavily pregnant with our son, he would always make sure to send me to my mother's house before going for ICT. He would also call me often just to ensure that I was well-taken care of."

Asked about his fondest NS memories, the IT technologist in a semi-conductor company shared that it was during a week-long battalion exercise where he witnessed both commanders and men from different units interacting and sharing their experiences with one another, ranks aside.

MSG (NS) Sa'adiq will complete his NS cycle next year and is already thinking of extending his service. "This award recognises all the NSmen who have served and gave their best during their ICT. NS is a duty and a commitment, and I want to give my very best."

A LEGACY TO BE PASSED ON 

Organised by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, the NS50 Dinner Reception capped off a year-long commemoration of the contributions and sacrifices made by generations of national servicemen.

For NS50 executive committee Co-Head Secretariat Colonel (COL) Clifford Keong, the dinner was a culmination of the hard work that he and his team had put in over the past year.

The 44-year-old was heartened to see how Singaporean families came forward to celebrate NS50, as well as the huge support from retailers to show their appreciation for national servicemen.

COL Keong also felt that renaming and redeveloping the Floating Platform to the NS Square was apt, as it was a venue NSFs would have to march to in their final route march during Basic Military Training.

"The Floating Platform is right in the heart of the city… It reminds them of what they are defending and I hope that this legacy of defending the nation with pride will be passed on from generation to generation."

THAT'S THE SPIRIT

These four men were Regulars in the Artillery formation but did you know that they were also Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's NS buddies?

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Ret) Tan Seng Poh shared that when Mr Lee was a junior officer, he programmed a calculator to compute the angle to fire a gun. Prior to that, soldiers had to calculate these details manually.

"It was in the early 70s and he already had the vision to enhance what they were doing. It was a catalyst to the technological advancements for the Artillery," said the former Commanding Officer (CO) of 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery.

"He was just like one of us, unassuming, humble and easy to get along with.

"Now that they have retired, these former artillery commanders hope that the future generations will take over the role of defending the nation with pride.

LTC (Ret) Choy Kin Chong said: "The food has changed, the technology has changed…but all these do not matter 'cos what matters most is the man behind the weapon. I just hope that the (future generations) of NSmen remain as committed as we were."

LTC (Ret) Tan's wife Shirley, also shared her aspirations for future NSmen. "As a mother of two boys, I'm happy that they got to experience NS as it's a priceless experience. The bonds in NS will last a lifetime - I've seen it happening with my brothers and my nephews. "

The message to every parent out there is that they must support their sons and be committed to NS."

MARCH

SINGAPORE POST

• Released a series of stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the NS (Amendment) Bill. Each stamp in the series depicted a significant event in the history of NS.

MAY - JUNE

NS50 SHOWCASE AT ARMY OPEN HOUSE

• A multi-sensory experiential exhibition that charted the evolution of NS through artefacts, videos, digital installations and augmented reality technology.

• Drew more than 57,000 visitors who contributed over 106,000 pledges of support for NS.

JUNE

FREE TRAVEL

• Past and present national servicemen wore their uniforms for NS50 Free Travel Day and received free rides from SMRT, SBS Transit, Tower Transit & Go-Ahead Singapore.

AUGUST

NS50 WEEK

• Highlights included a sports festival, an NS-themed picnic, the unveiling of a heritage marker at the site of Singapore's first NS camp, and a Salute from the Nation at the National Day Parade.

AUGUST

SPORTS

• ActiveSG's gyms and swimming pools were free of charge for national servicemen and their families.

OCTOBER

NS50 DINNER RECEPTION & NS SQUARE

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the Marina Bay Floating Platform and seating gallery will be redeveloped into a permanent structure and renamed as the NS Square

• The NS Square will be a key venue for future National Day Parades as well as Basic Military Training graduation and Unit Stand Down parades