NS: From Fathers to Sons
The father passes down to his son not only the family name and fortune but also the duty to protect the family and home.
The theme for N.E.mation! 6, “NS: From Fathers to Sons,” is a metaphor to convey the idea that National Service (NS) is a duty to protect the country that is passed down from generations to generations of Singaporean families. It involves all Singaporeans. While NS enlists the men directly into military service, it also enlists the support of the women in their lives – mothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends – who uphold them for the sacrifices they have made. You can therefore see how NS is an integral part of our lives. Whether we are a son or daughter, a brother or a sister, a cousin, a niece or a nephew, we are somehow connected to NS. And it is our different experiences and stories that hold us together.
Some of us may fondly remember how smart our fathers looked in their uniforms when they prepared for their In-Camp-Trainings. We may have felt very proud of our brothers at their passing-out parades and recalled the beaming faces of our parents as they saw their son’s contingent marching past. And yet others may also recall the sense of realisation they had upon discovering that their friend or cousin is now part of Singapore’s defence force.
In recalling these memories, we may ask ourselves: what does NS mean to us? How have we been supporting NS? How much do we care for our loved ones, our community and our nation when we show our support and dedication for NS? What else can we do to be more supportive? How do we encourage future generations of Singaporeans to continue supporting and serving NS? Some of us may also ask: what would it be like to serve NS in the future? How will NS evolve with Singapore’s progress in the years to come?
