J has had his fair share of momentous milestones. Some are achievement oriented. Others more spiritually so, like his confirmation in the Catholic faith. Today, he enlisted in the military, a rite of passage for all Singaporean sons. Its going to be, if it isnt already, a most meaningful journey for him. For the next 2 years, he will be part of a team where race, religion or language matter not. In this levelled field, its about strength, honour and loyalty: traits that really define the measure of the man. I wish him and all his fellow recruits (a total of 123 in his company) all the best.
I saw a few of them today. They all seem like well behaved (mostly A-level) boys, some already prepped with No.1 crew cuts. Not out of enthusiasm, mind you, but for vanity's sake as the military barber is well known to do a slapdash job having to shave the heads of hundreds. That said, as they undergo basic military training, the state of their hairdo will probably be the last thing on their minds. Which is about right... in the pecking order of importance, good looks must rank far below honour.
Its therefore sweetly ironical that as we (recruits and family and friends) were conveyed to the ferry terminal, incongruous 70s mandopop music extolling beauty and love played incessantly in the chartered bus.
What is more symbolic perhaps is the fact that we got here through multiple modes: drove & walked to the station, bussed to the terminal, ferried to the camp; all apt metaphors for the journey J will take over the next couple of years. A journey that is meant to make him physically, mentally and emotionally stronger. How strong he actually becomes is up to him.
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