Every year, we need young men in Singapore to do National Service.
Why do you think national service is compulsory in Singapore and why is this important?
In this poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country, England. Do you have this same spirit of patriotism towards Singapore? Why? Do you still find this same spirit of patriotism in Singapore? Why?
The soldier by Rupert Brooke is a war poem about a soldier’s patriotism towards his country, England. It reflects how he is willing to die in a war for his country.
Similarly in Singapore, every year Singaporeans of the age of 18 who are able-bodied are required to go through National Service. I believe that National Service should be compulsory. Firstly, Singapore is a small population and thus does not have enough people to sustain a full-time army. Therefore, Singapore needs to ensure that it maximizes its only resource – its people – by making National Service compulsory for all able-bodied men and in the case of an actual war Singapore can mobilize its able-bodied male population to fight. National Service also instills a sense of loyalty and patriotism in Singaporean males. In addition, it also helps break down social barriers and creates a One Singapore identity the soldiers. When they undergo tough training together, they develop feeling for Singapore as their home and country to defend.
I still feel the sense of patriotism towards Singapore. I remember last year I went to Macau for the Club Crew World Championship. It was an international dragonboat competition. The training for such a high level competition was tough, and furthermore, I was a Secondary One canoeist with hardly much experience. However, I always thought about how I could contribute to Singapore and how I could make Singapore proud. Thus, despite being physically weak compared to the rest, I was able to pull through. In the end, we clinched first for our category. This year, Hwa Chong would also be participating in another international dragonboating competition – the Penang Pesta. I hope we would be able to accomplish the same feat.
I can still feel this same sense of patriotism in Singapore. When National Day is around the corner, we can see many residents hang the Singapore flag. Sometimes, the whole HDB flat can be covered in red and white. The flag represents Singapore, and when residents hang it, it shows that they are proud of Singapore.
Hello Bram.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your point that patriotism is shown when residents hang the Singapore Flag. If you feel a sense of patriotism for Singapore, there means you are very concerned about her defense. If a housewife hangs the Singapore flag outside her house, does that mean that she wants to fight for the country when the country is in danger? If you feel proud for your country, you are not necessarily a patriot. Also, how does the hanging of flags by the residents affect you in having a sense of patriotism to Singapore?
I hope you would consider my views. Please comment on my blog too http://www.chuawenfeng.wordpress.com/
2O302 Chua Wen Feng
Yes, Singapore does need its people and most importantly the sense of pride of being a Singaporean. The older generations of Singaporeans is generally more patriotic since they have gone through many sufferings and low tides that make them treasure their life now. However as students nowadays are living is such optimum environment make the students develop the mindset that this is what they ought to deserve! Take the daily flag raising ceremony for example, what we always observe is how the music coming from the band always covers our vices. Some would rather mouth their words, keep their mouths shut or fidget around. Is this how we show pride? I don't agree how without even respecting the national anthem you can become patriotic after NS. I believe that we should set the foundation since young. Moreover, I do agree that NS is compulsory for Singapore's defense purpose and for the bonding of different races.
ReplyDeleteThese are just my views :) Great JOB Bram!
Hi Bram, I feel that what Singapore need is the national identity as well as the sense of pride. I agree with Chunyi that older generations are more patriotic. Why? SImple reason. This is because the older generation have gone through tough times when Singapore was a new nation. They have gone through all the sufferings as well as their low points in their lives. THis caused them to appreciate as well as be more patriotic to Singapore. THe younger generations are blessed to be able to live in such and environment as well as to not go through the sufferings that the older generation faced.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, about the point on you being physically weak, i really doubt so since you are already better than some of the seniors when you first come in :)
I saw Wen Feng's comments and I would like to make a brief rebuttal. The act of the residents hanging out their flags can be considered an act of patriotism. In fact, any sort of love and pride that you take in your country can already be considered as patriotism, given that it has varying degrees. I totally agree with the point on the importance of NS. You were also able to successfully raise real-life examples to support your viewpoints, which is pretty good. Oops, you left out your point about Hwa Chong!
ReplyDelete