On 12 June, The New Paper carried a story about a 5-year old boy who wrote to the chief of navy. In his letter, the boy – Marcus Quek – wrote that he wants to be a captain of an aircraft carrier when he grows up.
Surprisingly, the Rear Admiral of the Singapore Navy replied to the letter. “Unfortunately,” RAdm Chew Men Leong told Marcus, “we don’t have an aircraft carrier in the Republic of Singapore Navy.” The Admiral, however, explained that the navy does have “a number of capable ships and submarines…” He also advised Marcus, who had asked him what he should study to become a ship’s captain when he grows up, that he “should just start by doing your very best, study hard and learn all that you can…”
The Rear Admiral then invited Marcus and his family to the Navy Open House 2010, which was held from May 22 to 23.
Read the New Paper report below for the rest of the story. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)
And read also the blog post by Marcus’s mom about the experience. (Please click here.)
The Online Citizen would like to express its support for the actions of the Rear Admiral. In taking the time to reply to a boy’s letter, RAdm Chew has shown the human touch which is often missing in our public service. We hope our leaders in the public sphere will learn from RAdm Chew.
Kudos, Admiral!
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maybe I am cynical, but I think this is propaganda for the educational system and National Service. Why write so much on such an unimportant story?
It’s a nice touch,honestly.
Steve, if we want to move to a gracious society, we should encourage the behaviour we want. Similar to comments on the service standard in Singapore, I always ask ppl who complain whether they compliment them when they did well? Put yrself in their shoes, get screwed when not doing well but life still the same when done very good, why should I put that effort?
Lastly, Dear Author, RADM Chew is the Chief of Navy. Yr “Rear Admiral of the Singapore Navy” sounds like a title, it should either be “Chief of the Singapore Navy” or “Rear Admiral from the Singapore Navy”. Thanks
This boy is going to experience great disappointment when he wakes up from his lalaland or enlist in the army when he grows up.
and kudos to TOC, for giving praise where it is due. This opens up a new era of blogging where blogs can influence govt behaviour through positive reinforcement and also possibly shift the govt stance to more engagement with the bloggersphere.
what if the boy had been a MUSLIM and/or MALAY
“dear XXX, thanks for the letter. this a computer generated reply. we will reply to you soon”
Unlike some other blogs, I think TOC deserves credit for having the maturity to not see everything in black or white.
5-year-olds shouldn’t be thinking about war & military. The pro-militarism here has rubbed off even on children. A 5-year-old having such genuine interest in militarism is depressing.
It was a pleasure to read not just vile and hateful articles on TOC, at least there is still some hope for Singapore’s few public serviceman. =)
maybe I am cynical, but I think this is propaganda for the educational system and National Service. Why write so much on such an unimportant story?
by Steve on Jun 12, 2010 at 9.16 pm
Isn’t that sad that after so many years of pappie rule that has created so much distrust and made that so many people find it hard to trust them even now when they are really have sincere intentions??
sadly, i cant be a captain of an aircraft carrier nor a fighter pilot because of my race. :’(
funny how some people can be so narrow minded, naive and self centered. without the armed forces, do you really think you can do what you are doing with such peace of mind today? and what’s wrong with a five year old already thinking of a military career? it just goes to show that his thinking is more mature than someone who says a five year old thinking of life in the military is depressing.
Nothing wrong about this boy anyway. Its still better than writing to Ron Jeremy to saying he wished to be a pornstar when he grows up. But sadly, Malays like me had no chance to be a sailor even in the smallest RSN combat ship….
This is the kind of future Singaporean defender that not need to say he is conscripted – he joined the military out of his willingness.