Home Team NS50 Reception At Istana on 3 Nov 2017
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, along with the senior management of Home Affairs Ministry, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Singapore Police Force, all gathered on a spectacular night to join the national servicemen of past and present to commemorate fifty years of National Service in the Home Team. I was privileged to have been part of this iconic night, a night dedicated to those who have sacrificed much in the service of our nation.
PM Lee posing for a photograh with our NSF.
Amongst the guests, there were a total of 169 NSFs, with 93 of us coming from SCDF and another 76 NSFs from SPF. It was the first time for many of us to be in our 5T uniforms, and we were all looking very smart in this grand event!
Our Home Team NSFs taking a group picture with Mrs Josephine Teo, Second Minister for Home Affairs.
The key highlights of the event included the launch of the Home Team NS50 Commemorative Book - “Everyday Guardians: 50 Years of National Service in Singapore’s Home Team” by Prime Minister Lee. It chronicles the history of NS in the Home Team and how it has evolved over the years. Centred around 3 themes of “Duty”, “Devotion” and “Daring”, the book also paid tribute to and recognised the sacrifices and dedication of generations of Home Team NSmen in keeping Singapore safe and secure. The event also saw 10 full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) receiving the highest recognition, the ‘NSF of the Year Awards 2017’, for their significant contributions beyond their call of duty.
[Left: NSFs from both SPF and SCDF coming together to celebrate NS50.]
[Right: The 5 ‘NSF of the Year’ award winners of SCDF.]
SGT (NS) Hansel Guillermo, who was then SCDF’s NSF and took on the event’s master of ceremony role, reflected about the evening said: “I felt very privileged to be part of Home Team, and I’m overjoyed that we get to celebrate NS50 with our PM. This evening has been a great experience not just for myself, but for everyone else!”
‘NSF of the Year 2017’ recipients together with their families in a group photo with PM Lee.
Being a full-time National Serviceman, the night not only highlighted to me the importance of serving National Service, but also how it will eventually shape the future of our nation and younger generations. The 2 years of full-time National Service enables us to contribute to the defence of our country. We may not be carrying rifles or driving tanks as do some of our Army counterparts, but our role in providing civil defence to the people of Singapore is just as important. The small part contributed by every Singaporean son denotes our ability as a nation to confront adversity. I am confident that should we be challenged by adversity, we as a nation are able to rise up and overcome the calamity. Our sons are trained, our sons are ready. We are ready.
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‘In honour of all National Servicemen. For your sacrifice and valour, your courage and honour.’
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LCP (NSF) MOHAMAD MUKMIN BIN MOHAMAD AZMI
SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT (SSU)
HQ, SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE (SCDF)
