KEEPING S'PORE SAFE AT THE TURN OF THE YEAR

What were you doing on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?

While most of the country was out celebrating the crossover to 2012 at varying levels of sobriety, a group of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel remained alert and vigilant as they performed their peacetime standby duties.

Expressing appreciation for their efforts in keeping Singapore secure over the holiday season, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong visited soldiers from patrol vessel RSS Dauntless at Tuas Naval Base, 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment, (4 SIR) on Jurong Island and 125 Squadron (SQN) which operates Super Puma Helicopters at Sembawang Air Base. During his visits, LG Neo also presented festive hampers to the units. The Service Chiefs also conducted their own visits seperately.

"It is this consistent level of security that we have which makes everyone confident and proud. The whole nation can rest well throughout the year and particularly during the holiday season because of you," said LG Neo while on board the RSS Dauntless.

"Some of the things we do are onerous...they are tough, but there is a reason why we have to do them. So we have to continue to find ways to motivate ourselves and never to be complacent," said LG Neo to 4 SIR personnel at Jurong Island.

Though the personnel on duty had to miss out on parties and time with family and friends, they saw their tasks as important ones which had to be carried out.

"We know that we have a duty to do. We have to go out there to ensure the waters are peaceful, though it's the holiday season," said Corporal (CPL) Lemuel Yeo, a navigation specialist on board the RSS Dauntless. The 21-year-old is a full-time National Serviceman (NSF).

Fellow NSF CPL Leong Shi Yi expressed similar sentiments: "It feels good to know that there are people constantly on standby, even during major holidays." The 22-year-old is a medic attached to 125 SQN.

Next year, as you raise your glasses to usher in the New Year, spend a little time to give thanks to the men and women protecting the nation while the rest of us are having fun. Thanks, guys.