Letters from my mum

A dense and humid jungle. Digging shell scrapes in the rough soil. Blank rounds crack through the air during a fire movement exercise.

The nights drag on, without being able to make a phone call back home.

But amid the hardship that recruits go through in field camp during Basic Military Training (BMT), they are reminded of what they are fighting for – to safeguard the peace and security that their loved ones back home enjoy.

This is done through “Mail Run”, a cherished tradition in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), where recruits receive letters from their family.

In PIONEER’s Mother’s Day special, we ask some servicemen to share with us the most impactful line from their mum’s letters.

1. “This journey will be tough at times, but it will build your character, strength and responsibility”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“My mum reminded me about the things I should uphold, and how NS would build my character, strength and responsibility.

“These were things I lacked beforehand as I always felt that I wasn’t strong enough. But now, reading this, it makes me feel motivated and happy.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“She cooks really nice dinners for me whenever I get home after booking out. It makes me feel very happy to come home.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“I love you very much. I’m both thankful and sorry for so many things. I’ll tell you many stories (of my BMT) when I get back.”

2. “We’ll be thinking of you every step of the way”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“When I was younger, I was quite rebellious and refused to listen to my mum. But reading her letter now, I understand that the things she has been telling me are truly for my own good.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“My mum always encourages me to push on whenever I felt like giving up. She always cooks my favourite meal whenever I book out – curry chicken!”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“I want to stay by your side for as long as I can.”

3. “The house feels a little quieter without you around”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“I’m usually the loudest at home, that’s why my mum said that it’s strange to adjust to the house being quieter now.

“I feel emotional knowing that while I’m here at field camp worrying about her, she’s at home worrying about me too.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“I call her every night to share about my struggles and she always comforts me without fail.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Thank you so much for supporting me even though I make things hard for you sometimes. Happy Mother’s Day and happy birthday! I love you.”

4. “I wrote this letter on the day we had our mother-and-son date”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“My mum and I would often go on coffee dates together, known as our ‘mother-and-son dates’. Seeing that she wrote this letter to me on one of our dates, I realised the heartfelt weight of her letter.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“When I first entered BMT, my mum and I would always call on the phone to talk to each other at night. It’s always very emotional – we would always cry on the phone.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“I love you mum. Please don’t miss me too much.”

5. “Difficult times are never forever”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“She reminded me of the times in the past when I went through hardships and got through them. Likewise, I shouldn’t give up on myself during BMT, but carry on and push through.”

How does your mum support you in NS?

“Every time I book out, I’ll talk to my mum for hours and she’ll give me advice. She has been giving me encouragement since the day I enlisted – she’s my pillar of support.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“I know I haven’t seen you in over a month because you’re overseas, but I’m so happy to see something from you after so long. I miss you a lot.”

6. “Mummy sent you some pictures to keep you company”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“My mum sent me pictures of our last family trip to Japan right before I enlisted, so it was still fresh in my memory. It made me feel like I took the peacetime at home for granted, and I really missed my family a lot.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“She always cooks during the weekends and makes sure we all spend time together as a family through activities such as watching movies.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Thank you for always supporting me and having my back. Even though I may not express my gratitude outwardly, I appreciate you a lot.”

7. “Enjoy life”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“At that time, my family was based in the United States, so I wasn’t expecting any letters. I was genuinely surprised when one arrived from them.

“That short line ‘enjoy life’ from my mum really resonated with me because it made me realise that no matter how tough or exhausting things get, there’s always something to appreciate in the moment.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“She is my safe place and my number one supporter. Even when I feel alone, I never truly am, because she is always there for me.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Thank you mum, for everything. I am who I am today because of you. Without your guidance and the life lessons you’ve given me, things would have turned out very differently. I owe you so much.”

8. “Just remember to come home to eat Japanese curry rice”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“The most memorable moment was actually the act of receiving the letter itself. I still remember how all of us were caught by surprise during the most mentally draining part of the BMT field camp.

“I enjoyed being reminded that curry rice was waiting for me back at home once I book out!”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“She is always ready to fetch me to and fro Pasir Ris MRT, despite us staying at Sembawang. She will also not hesitate to take time off to go to eMart with me to top up any items I need.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Thanks for being my quiet pillar of support!”

9. “We will all silently support you, and grandpa will also watch over and protect you”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“It was particularly emotional when she mentioned my grandfather, as he had passed away some time before my enlistment day.”

How does your mum support you during NS?

“She brings me out for good food and helps me with my laundry.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Thank you for raising me and for all the meals you’ve lovingly cooked for me. I’m sorry if I seem distant sometimes. It’s not because I don’t care, but because I don’t always know how to express my love.”

10. "You are the source of my strength in me, the light that shines in my heart"

Why was this the most memorable line?

“This was the first time I received a handwritten letter by my mum. It gave me the strength to steer forward and push through for the remaining days in the jungle.”

How did your mum support you during NS?

“There were plenty of things she did for me during my early book out days, such as cooking my favourite dishes at home and making sure I had my in-camp essentials like wet tissues and snacks.

“Most importantly, she constantly checked up to see if I'm alright.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for being one of my beacons in life and I hope you always stay happy.”

11. “We hope to see the best of you, and how you are moving towards being a responsible and sensible man”

Why was this the most memorable line?

“It gave me a sense of security knowing that my family will always be cheering me on, which motivated me to push through to the end.”

How did your mum support you during NS?

“Without fail, my mum would always send me off whenever I book in, no matter how late or early it is.”

Something I want to tell my mum this Mother’s Day:

“I’m eternally grateful for the care and affection that you’ve given us over the years. I’m proud to have such a strong mother!”