Having collaborated with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Veterans League during our Battle for Singapore: Tales of the Opium Hill trail, we were honoured to be invited to attend this memorial service yesterday (10 March 2015). Let the photos below bring you through this memorial service.
Macdonald House. Situated along Orchard Road, in between Plaza Singapura and Cathay Building. On 10 March 1965, a bomb planted here by Indonesian saboteurs exploded, killing three and injuring 33 others. This was part of Konfrontasi in which Indonesia waged an undeclared war to oppose the formation of Malaysia.The NCC Command Band Swiss Winds. During the memorial service, they performed the following: Dead March, Laid to Rest, Supreme Sacrifice, Nimrod, Abide with Me, Nearer my God to Thee, Now the Day is Over.The memorial to the victims of Konfrontasi, marking its 50th anniversary.2WO (Ret.) Tina Goh as the Master of Ceremony for the memorial service.The memorial service began with the arrival of Mr Lawrence Wong (seated on the first row, sixth from the left), Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Communications and Information. On the right of Mr Lawrence Wong are Brigadier-General (NS) Winston Toh, President of the Singapore Armed Forces Veteran League (SAFVL) and Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces.Honour Guards taking their position.
Address by BG (NS) Winston Toh, President of Singapore Armed Forces Veterans League. “”It was a dark and painful chapter in our history, during which many lives were hurt, damaged and lost. Although it happened five decades ago, we as Singaporeans must never forget this part of our nation’s history.”Address by Guest of Honour, Mr Lawrence Wong. “Abroad, our soldiers from 1SIR and 2SIR suffered casualties in battle. This was the most significant external threat we have faced since the Second World War.”The memorial service took place at Dhoby Ghaut Green. The memorial will serve as a lasting reminder of those who had sacrificed during Konfrontasi and in the words of Mr Wong, “This will be a sacred space for contemplation and reflection in the heart of our city: where we can remember our fallen, honour our defenders, and gather confidence to face our future.”Solemnity.Representatives from the Venerable Inter-Religious Organisation conducting a silent prayer session.Observing a minute of silence for the victims of Konfrontasi.Mr Lawrence Wong and BG (NS) Winston Toh laying flowers on the memorial.
Our country’s defenders – both the young and the veterans – taking a photo with Mr Lawrence Wong.
Will Singaporeans still remember this fateful day of our history?
The National University of Singapore (NUS) History Society is a student-run organization that aims to encourage an interest for history among NUS students and members of the public. Its members include all History majors and other NUS students interested in history. Regular projects that aim to engage NUS students include writing and editorial opportunities at the Society’s publication Mnemozine, career development programmes as well as welfare activities. NUS History Society is a student society under the Office of Student Affairs, National University of Singapore.
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