THANKING FAMILIES, PUBLIC FOR SUPPORT FOR SAF

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s Golden Jubilee commemoration reached a rousing highpoint with President Tony Tan Keng Yam joining SAF personnel and their families in the celebration.

At the SAF50@Istana event held on 26 Jul, President Tan interacted with Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), Operationally-ready National Servicemen (NSmen), regulars, as well as SAF pioneers. He also spoke with the families of servicemen and women and thanked them for their support towards the SAF and National Service (NS).

About 21,000 visitors, including members of the public, attended the event at the Istana. The event featured exhibitions and activities highlighting the SAF's journey and growth over the last 50 years, as well as stories about the men and women who built up the armed forces.

Ms Jessie Lee was excited to bring the generations of soldiers in her family from across the Services together to the event. Her husband, Major (MAJ) (NS) Jeffery Lim, a Weapons System Officer in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), was a former regular while his father, MAJ (Ret) Richard Lim, was an infantry officer. MAJ (NS) Lim's younger brother, Corporal First Class (CFC) (NS) Desmond Lim, served his NS in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The mother-of-two found the exhibitions beneficial to her children, particularly her four-year-old son.

"It's especially important for the younger generation to understand how far we have come in 50 years; it's difficult for them to appreciate it without having gone through the hardships that the older generation went through. This opportunity enables them to appreciate what the older generation went through to build up the nation," said Ms Lee.

She added: "My son will be going to NS in about 14 years; it's an early start but it sets the tone for him."

As for Ms Veni Ramasamy, the highlight of the event was not only to visit the Istana, but also to meet the colleagues of her husband, 121 Squadron Command Chief, 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) A. Kumareson.

Said Ms Veni: "It's a very good feeling meeting his friends and colleagues. We felt a sense of community with the other families. The kids also feel very proud seeing Dad here."

She added: "We support him all the way - the kids are usually at tuition on Sundays, but today we let them skip tuition to support him here."

Military families

A welcome sight at SAF50@Istana were the multi-generational military families who were there to celebrate with the members of the public.

Lieutenant (LTA) Julie Lim, a pilot trainee, was reminded of the open houses that her father, Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Lim Kok Kheng, used to take the family to.

"Such events are what inspired me in the first place to join the force. When we were young we went to such open houses with our father and that's how we got to know the military culture and what he does in his work. The exhibition also gives the public and families of servicemen a better idea of what they do to defend the country," said the 21-year-old. She credited her father, a Super Puma pilot, for inspiring herself and her sister to follow in his footsteps. Younger sister Jessie Lim, 19, is currently an undergraduate under the Defence Merit Scholarhip.

"I'm passing over the baton to them to continue the good work that has been done by our pioneers and even my generation," said SLTC Lim. "Hopefully they can take the SAF to a higher level."

Corporal (CPL) (NS) Sadali Mawi was also heartened by the show of support by the public. "It shows that our families are 100 percent behind people in the SAF and Singapore in general. The turnout is a good indication of the support that Singaporeans have for what we are doing."

The encouraging sight was especially precious to him, since both his parents and brother-in-law are in the military. Mum 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Saloma bte Johari is a Training Admin Supervisor in the SAF Personnel Hub, Dad 2WO (Ret) Mawi bin Mohd is currently an F&B manager in Pasir Laba Camp, and brother-in-law Captain (CPT) Rudie Imran is a Staff Officer in 3rd Division.

Being in a military family has its pros, according to CPL (NS) Sadali. "When it was my time to enlist, I was super prepared. I had been following them to the camps since I was a small kid, so I kind of knew what to expect. With that knowledge I was able to help my other NS friends as well."

His parents were also glad that he adapted well to NS. Said 2WO Saloma: "He had been 'trained' from the very beginning on what to expect in the army."

2WO Mawi agreed: "I knew he would be well taken care of by my colleagues from the whole SAF. They would keep him in check."

"So it's not to say that if your parents are in the SAF you will have privileges, sometimes it's worse. There are eyes everywhere," joked CPL (NS) Sadali on the only "con" of being in a military family.

As for Mr Michael Sim, his two sailor children are living out the dream he had been unable to fulfil. As a child, he had developed a deep love for the army after hearing how an unidentified soldier had risked his life to shield his father during an air raid. Unfortunately, he received a full exemption when it was his turn to enlist.

Undaunted, he encouraged his children to consider a military career and contribute to national defence on his behalf. Today, eldest daughter CPT Marilyn Sim is an Assistant Operations Officer on board RSS Intrepid while her brother, Military Expert 1 Marven Sim is a Weapon Control System Operator on board RSS Supreme.

"I was overwhelmed (with emotion) when my children told me they wanted to sign on, because I had been selling the idea to them. When my daughter stepped up, I said, 'Ok, that's my Hua Mulan. I couldn't serve, but you help me serve," he said, referencing the legendary Chinese heroine who took her father's place to fight in the war.

"My son followed suit. He wanted to be committed (to defence), so he took up the scheme even before he began polytechnic." His third child is also keen to join the RSN after he completes his studies.

Mr Sim's very personal story of his relationship with the SAF won him second place in the SAF50 Story Contest. Having seen the developments made by the SAF over the years, he was happy to be part of the celebrations at the Istana.

"This (50th anniversary) is a very big milestone for the SAF. It's about time we had something big to honour our people from the past and present, and hopefully in doing so, it will encourage the new generation to take on the role of defending the country," said Mr Sim.