Leader of the Opposition and Workers’ Party Chief Pritam Singh called Singapore Armed Forces Day 2022 (SAF Day) “a little more special this year, as we are celebrating 55 years of National Service.”
In a Friday morning Facebook post, Mr Singh took a fond look back at his own journey with SAF. “Grateful for all the friends made, life lessons taught and learnt, and the small part each of us was able to play (and in many cases, are still playing) in contributing to the defence of Singapore.”
He also noted that while Singapore has enjoyed peace since attaining independence, keeping its armed forces strong is important.
“War has never come to post-independence Singapore. But it is not enough to hope and pray it never will. A strong, capable and credible SAF plays an oversized role in keeping the peace – while being operationally ready for war.”
And aside from highlighting the importance of the institution, Mr Singh also underlined the significance of every person who serves.
“And each piece of the jigsaw, each serviceman and woman matters. Always has, always will.”
In his post, the Leader of the Opposition shared his SAF Day post from three years ago, where he posted a photo of Platoon 3, Bravo Company, 35 SCE from 1999.
In it, he emphasized that “Once in uniform, they do not represent any political party,” and stand as one to defend Singapore.
“This band of brothers followed in the footsteps of countless others before them. Since then, thousands more have gone through the same experience. Once in uniform, they do not represent any political party. They are National Servicemen of the Singapore Armed Forces who did their duty and played their part – standing ready to defend the country, like the many who continue to do so today. Because we cannot count on anyone else to do this job.”
Mr Singh, a reservist commander with the rank of Major, enlisted in SAF in 1994. He served as a career commissioned officer from 1996 to 2002 and was a combat engineer.
In May, he brought his two young daughters to the SAF Open House.
“We had good fun, walking around the exhibits and checking out the equipment on display (the Leopard 2 always stands out), including some very impressive platforms such as the MAN Wheeled Recovery Vehicle and indigenously manufactured platforms like the Trailblazer and Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle,” Mr Singh wrote in a May 26 Facebook page. /TISG