National Day

I wrote specially because I have a debate with someone I know who told me off as
I never bothered to know when the National Day preview (Full dress rehersal)is.

Naturally, I was annoyed when the dude says "Are you a Singaporean or not? Don't even know when is the National Day preview?"

Like I wanna know about it.
Of course, I knew the exact National Day's date: 9th August.
When we went indepedence; 9th Augusr 1965.

Moment in which Mr Lee Kuan Kew, our first Prime Minister cried on national television after M'sia booted Singapore out of the Malayan Federation.
That was the time, we are on our own.........


I shot back saying,"Then Sir do you know the meaning behind the colours, the symbol of the flag ?"
He went *whoooosh*

Red the colour of blood, our common link, bond to our fellow men & citizens.
All men are brothers, regardless of background.

White the colour of purity, our ideals, positive virtues
(Hey, I don't mean negative ones like kiasu!
Virtues to me at least means the code of conduct by which we are expected to conduct ourselves and to fellow men. Like if my job dictates that I am to serve my customer all the way without favour, fear or expecting monetary reward. I have to do that with professionalism.)

The Crescent- Singapore is a young nation with long way to go; OJT (Enuff said)

5 Star- Peace, Prosperity, Progress, Justice, Equality.
(Our nation's ultimate aim & ideals)

He was giving the blank stare, I asked again.
"You know the pledge? Know the meaning? Do you live by it?""

"For what? Are you nuts to remember everything?"

We the Citizens of Singapore
Pledge Ourselves as One United People
Regardless of Race, Language or Religion
To build a Democratic Society
Based on Justice & Equality
So as to achieve Happiness, Prosperity and Progress for our Nation.

Everytime, some national issue comes up and I figure that the Pledge is the best guideline for referance.

You see, Patriotism is doesn't mean running to your favourite statesman, screaming "I love you!"
He represents the Country not the other way round.

Patriotism is loyalty to your birthplace no matter what.
Governments comes and goes, Kings live and die, Princes waxes and wane.
But our country never changes as long as our people exists.


Oh yeah, I read about a concern fellow citizen and he was very displeased about some dudes lack of solemness at the National Anthem.
I did thought about for a while.
Part of me wanna scoff him but another part of me thinks he has got a point.

I mean in Russia or United States, people actually stood still & sang their national anthem with hats off.
So yeah man, I go with him for supporting to reprimand them for the lack of respect to the country.