I came across a secondary school girl on flag day duty some weeks ago and was flabbergasted when she said: “Excuse me, uncle. Would you like to donate to a good cause?”
I must admit that though I’m in my 40s, I was dressed extremely age-inappropriate and looked very much the part of someone in his early 30s. In fact, the brand of my t-shirt I was wearing hails itself as “gears for futuristic teenagers”.
I reckon the only thing that could give away my age was the, ahem, slightly thinning hair atop my head, but then again there was no way she would’ve manage to notice that as I’m much taller.
Well, at least that’s how my hairdresser consoles me.
“Excuse me, do I look that old?” I asked the school girl.
“Erm, to be honest, you look old enough to be my dad. You have a lot of wrinkles,” she replied.
Despite my slightly bruised ego, I did manage to scrounge up some loose change for the donation.
I think being charitable is important because there are many people out there facing terribly unfortunate circumstances and could use a little help in life. I know I certainly would like to receive some support should I ever find myself in a tight spot.
Truth be told, I was not always a charitable kind of person. It was only after I read a quote by the late Mother Teresa that I made the resolution to help people whenever I can.
The quote? “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”
Poignant, isn’t it?
It also reminds me of that platoon sergeant I had back in BMT. He didn’t change the world, but he certainly impacted a lot of lives, albeit not always in a positive manner. But these experiences became stories we told our girlfriends and children later in life to show how Papa withstood hardship to defend the nation.
But I’m no saint. The most I’ve ever done is donate a hundred dollars to a good cause, one that I can’t even remember now. I think those who truly deserve praise are those who donate their time, aka the volunteers.
Why? Because nothing says you care about a cause or about someone more emphatically than getting hands-on.
I think the volunteers that amaze me the most are those who have given back to Singapore by joining the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC).
I mean, seriously, can you imagine living in another country and serving in its armed forces? Man, that’s one commitment that’s hard to beat.
Curious about the SAFVC, I scoured the Internet to find more information. As it turns out, there are several well-known personalities within its ranks. One of them is legendary Singaporean singer-songwriter Stefanie Sun’s husband Nadim van der Ros. He apparently joined the SAFVC in 2021 and currently serves as an Auxiliary Security Trooper.
There’s also Singapore permanent resident, former Miss Hong Kong contestant and ex-TVB actress Ashley Chu – she goes by The Krazy Koala on her YouTube channel – who is a part of the SAFVC.
I don’t know what her vocation is but all I can say is that if the SAF wants to improve IPPT passing rates, deploying her as a PTI would likely work wonders.
If you’re as ignorant as I am regarding the SAFVC, here are some fun facts that might surprise you: volunteers aren’t always deployed to combat roles.
In fact, I must say I’m really impressed by the wide variety of volunteer positions, which include InfoMedia staff (they help with public communications efforts), Road Safety Inspectors, Legal Specialist Staff, Military Musicians and F&B Auditors. Let’s show some love for these volunteers who are giving their all, stepping up to the plate with their time.
The one role that caught my eye, though, was that of the Retail Services Inspector.
According to the job description, “the role of the Retail Services Inspector is to survey the quality of customer service at the eMarts and provide recommendations to enhance the eMarts’ retail services.”
I know I’d sign up to be a Retail Services Inspector if I could.
What are the products I would recommend, if they existed?
- Camo Cream with Retinol: Because who says you can’t fight wrinkles and acne while blending seamlessly into the jungle? This powerhouse product will have you looking fresh-faced and ready for action in no time when you book out.
- Combat Boots with Built-In Massagers: Military gear CAN be comfortable. These boots will not only have you bash through the jungle like a pro but also give your feet a well-deserved massage after a long day of manoeuvres.
- Tactical Toothpaste: Camo-coloured toothpaste, which can temporarily colour our teeth and give us minty-fresh breath, even in the heat of battle. The enemy won’t be able to see the sergeants’ and officers’ pearly whites when they shout instructions.
- Hydration Pack with Built-In Cooling System: Keep cool and hydrated on the go with a backpack that includes a built-in cooling system for your water reservoir. Stay refreshed and focused during long hikes or intense missions.
- Stand-by items are packed in dedicated ziplocks for uniforms, PT-kit shoes, etc., connected/joined onto the poncho mat. You can roll out and roll into the backpack without unpacking the items one by one, breaking the Olympic-level ‘stand-by items display and pack-up’ timing by at least 20 seconds.
The above are on SAFRA’s patent-pending, imaginary innovation wishlist. Please vote for your favourite item and tell us why you like it, or suggest more innovative ideas on our Facebook/ Instagram posts. Thank you!
LOL Mondays is an ongoing series of slice-of-life stories from freelance writer and NSman Ethan Lim. Look out for the humorous tales which will be posted every first Monday of the month, to help you drive away your Monday blues!
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