DPM Teo Chee Hean at Book Launch of "50 SAF Pioneers' Nostalgic March - 9 August 2015"

LG (Ret) Winston Choo, 

SAF Pioneers,  
Distinguished Guests,  
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I am delighted to join my former seniors and colleagues, and to see so many familiar faces here tonight for the launch of the commemorative book, “50 SAF Pioneers’ Nostalgic March – 9 August 2015”. Put together by the 50 SAF Pioneers who marched at the National Day Parade 2015, this book celebrates their NDP journey and shares their perspectives of the SAF’s progress over the past 50 years. 

The Pioneering Spirit of our SAF Pioneers

These 50 Pioneers exemplified the spirit of that whole generation of SAF Pioneers who played a vital role in the early days of the SAF. Their spirit defined the SAF, secured our nation and uplifted our people. You had served during Konfrontasi, and served in the first National Service battalions after our separation from Malaysia. You trained the early batches of national servicemen. You built up new capabilities from scratch. You made do with rudimentary equipment and adapted it to serve our needs. You defended Singapore. The grainy old photographs in the book, of men in “Temasek Green” army fatigues, wooden hull boats, and borrowed training aircraft reminded us of how we started building up the SAF. 

At a time when we had few resources, our SAF Pioneers showed the way with their vision, fortitude, and determination. This was a time when ships were made of wood, and men were made of steel. Because of the strong foundation laid down by our SAF Pioneers, the SAF today is respected as a strong and professional defence force, capable of conducting a wide spectrum of operations such as in the Gulf of Aden and the Middle East. The SAF and the Defence Technology community have worked together to design and build infantry fighting vehicles, ships, guns and unmanned aerial vehicles. This book is not just a collection of memories, but provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the important characteristics and values that made the SAF and Singapore we know of today.

Passing Down the Pioneering Spirit to our Future Generations 

First of all, the fighting spirit. You have a sense of danger and a sense of urgency that our security has to be protected. We will always be a small country surrounded by larger countries, and will need to ensure our survival and independence, and that we will not be bullied. For that, we must have a strong SAF.  

I was asked by a young reporter today about whether we had become numbed to the violence from terrorist attacks, and whether the repeated exhortations to stay vigilant and to stay united in the face of threats were also numbing to Singaporeans. With all the violence and turmoil around the world today, this should be a constant reminder to all of us of the threats that we face. Our pioneers answered the call when we became independent. They understood what needed to be done to defend Singapore, to protect us and our families and to take us forward. Singaporeans who have grown up in the decades of peace that you the SAF Pioneers helped ensure, may think that nothing will happen, and some may have lost the sense of danger and the instincts for survival. You the Pioneers can help pass down, and continue to ensure that we have this instinctive understanding of our vulnerabilities that will help us to survive. 
 
Second, the spirit to serve – you served a cause, and a purpose larger than yourself to safeguard our people and our nation. For the SAF Pioneers, this meant being prepared to make sacrifices, and to lay down your life for our country. This was a real possibility then for each of our Pioneers who signed on the dotted line and took their oaths to join the SAF. 

Our servicemen, including the national servicemen, serve this cause today. They may contemplate the possibility of sacrifice today, but more as a theoretical scenario rather than a real one. But every serviceman must understand that when he takes that oath, he must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, to lay down his life to safeguard our people and our nation. This is what our pioneers understood and were prepared to do. This differentiates service in the SAF from service in any other organisation. 

Third, the spirit of giving. I am glad also that our Pioneers are contributing to the SAF Care Fund. I learnt from my seniors as a trainee and as a young officer, that the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. The reality is that service in the SAF, operations and training, are not without risk. None of us wants harm to come to our servicemen, but we do know that even with the best of systems and efforts, there will be some residual risks. 

Therefore, in contributing to the SAF Care Fund, our Pioneers send a very strong signal of care for our soldiers and care for this and future generation of soldiers. It is a recognition that what we do is not without risk, but that we do all care for our soldiers. 

Honouring our Pioneers’ Commitment to Defence

Tonight, 16 of you will be appointed as Commitment to Defence, or “C2D”, Ambassadors by MINDEF. As C2D Ambassadors, you will help younger Singaporeans to connect with significant historical events and past military operations on a more personal level. Through these interactions, younger Singaporeans will not only learn about these events but also benefit from your passion, dedication and experience.

But whether you are formally appointed or not, all of you are committed to defence through your own service and everyday lives. When you speak to your friends, your families and your workmates, you show your commitment to defence. By stepping forward to be C2D ambassadors, this is an important commitment to our future and a commitment that you are passing on to new generations of Singaporeans. 

When the 50 SAF Pioneers marched past the Padang at SG50 last year, you represented not only yourselves, but the whole pioneer generation of the SAF.  When the crowd stood up and cheered, they were cheering and saluting that SAF generation who were prepared to make that ultimate sacrifice, and who sacrificed to build and give us what we have today. Thank you for being a source of inspiration for all of us, including many younger Singaporeans. 

Conclusion 

This commemorative book is not just a collection of memories but it is also a celebration of indomitable spirit. The spirit of determination and the spirit of service that have not wavered over the years and must be passed down to our future generations. Your spirit of giving, the stories, experiences and values form an important part of our heritage, and remind us of why Singaporeans must always remain deeply committed to Singapore, and to defending our home. 

Thank you for helping to build, and continuing to contribute to, a country that we are all proud to call home. May all Singaporeans be inspired by your dedication, vigour, and spirit, as we embark on the next chapter of the Singapore story and build a better future together. 

Thank you very much, and I hope everyone has an enjoyable evening catching up with old friends tonight.