Singapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League, you suck!

DSC01813.JPGOK, so I’m saying that only because I nearly made a monkey of myself.

Last night, my mother called me and asked, ‘hey, what is this Singapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League?’, to which I replied with my usual confident bluster, “No such thing!”, which got Mum all worked up:

“Har? No such thing? But they got logo everything you know? And they asked me for donation!”

“It’s a scam, Mum, report police first thing tomorrow morning!”

Of course, the exchange went for longer than that, you know how conversations between mothers and their sons are – this kind of exchange would go on for a good five minutes, mostly consisting of repeating each of the two lines above, twice, and ending with a flourish, which, this time, came from me in the form of:

“I’ve been serving national service since 1989 and I’ve never heard of the SAFVL, Mum! Report police! Make sure har?”

It is very very fortunate for the world’s best champion gold medal gun-jumper to have, by his side, his constant companion, his better half, if you will, who has in her possession, a brain.

I was asked to google the SAFVL, and voila, we found that it is a living, breathing organisation, well at least for the veterans who are still doing so.

But I was still curious. Why would the SAFVL solicit money from businesswomen like my mother? Shouldn’t something like SAFRA take care of all that? And why was my mother invoiced for $1000, and when she informed them that she couldn’t ‘support’ by giving $1000, was told by the woman on the line, Ms Jenny Poh, that she ‘should be more patriotic and supportive’ of the SAFVL’s cause?

More patriotic? Can my mother be more patriotic? How dare you insinuate that my mother is not being patriotic enough? She’s seen her two sons serve national service, nearly getting killed and all that, without lifting a single finger to send either of them to a specialist to get them medically downgraded from active combat and support units!

You call my mother unpatriotic? I curse you the old Hokkien one which goes something like, “next time you born baby no backside!”

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32 responses to “Singapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League, you suck!”

  1. [IMG RSS] Mr Miyagi Remember, Prison Got No BroadbandTODAY: Buzz remains for hustingsThe Da Vinci TrailEh? No ban on podcasts?Calling off the huntExpensive mall alertMagic Hay Mee FundoshiSingapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League, you suck!Good house huntingPodcast: Jedi election special

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  3. gimster Avatar

    I took a look at the SAFVL website but remain unconvinced of its propriety. For the few seconds I was there, I couldn’t see much content on the site to verify the (real-life) existence of the organisation. Also there’s some problem with the security certificate of the website that causes the Firefox browser to prompt me for a response.

    Anyone else heard of the organisation?

  4. gimster Avatar

    I took a look at the SAFVL website but remain unconvinced of its propriety. For the few seconds I was there, I couldn’t see much content on the site to verify the (real-life) existence of the organisation. Also there’s some problem with the security certificate of the website that causes the Firefox browser to prompt me for a response.

    Anyone else heard of the organisation?

  5. gimster Avatar

    I took a look at the SAFVL website but remain unconvinced of its propriety. For the few seconds I was there, I couldn’t see much content on the site to verify the (real-life) existence of the organisation. Also there’s some problem with the security certificate of the website that causes the Firefox browser to prompt me for a response.

    Anyone else heard of the organisation?

  6. gimster Avatar

    I took a look at the SAFVL website but remain unconvinced of its propriety. For the few seconds I was there, I couldn’t see much content on the site to verify the (real-life) existence of the organisation. Also there’s some problem with the security certificate of the website that causes the Firefox browser to prompt me for a response.

    Anyone else heard of the organisation?

  7. Neek Avatar

    Veterans?

    Is this like for all those men who fought in “the war”? If not, I cannot imagine anyone else qualifying for the term “veterans”, unless somehow managing to downgrade, managing to take as many canteen breaks in a day as possible, and “kenging” your way out of field exercises counts.

    But I have to say that you’re right gimster… this site doesn’t look very legit. I got the same warnings on firefox, and it all looks quite amateur.

    QUICK! report police!

  8. Neek Avatar

    Veterans?

    Is this like for all those men who fought in “the war”? If not, I cannot imagine anyone else qualifying for the term “veterans”, unless somehow managing to downgrade, managing to take as many canteen breaks in a day as possible, and “kenging” your way out of field exercises counts.

    But I have to say that you’re right gimster… this site doesn’t look very legit. I got the same warnings on firefox, and it all looks quite amateur.

    QUICK! report police!

  9. Links2Singapore Avatar

    I serve NS many years ago, 2 years active and more than 10 years of reservist, once in a blue moon I came across this name SAFVL, but till now ……… I still dont understand what they do.

    Maybe someone from SAFVL can tell us more. Dont worry about the “back side”, just look at the brighter side.

  10. Links2Singapore Avatar

    I serve NS many years ago, 2 years active and more than 10 years of reservist, once in a blue moon I came across this name SAFVL, but till now ……… I still dont understand what they do.

    Maybe someone from SAFVL can tell us more. Dont worry about the “back side”, just look at the brighter side.

  11. Gibson Avatar
    Gibson

    You should write to SAFVL and demand an explanation. Who knows you might get an apology publish on Straits Times.

  12. Gibson Avatar
    Gibson

    You should write to SAFVL and demand an explanation. Who knows you might get an apology publish on Straits Times.

  13. Ah Neh Avatar

    Never even heard of it though I’m a regular. Interesting concept. Maybe you’re only “invited” to join the “league of xtraordinary gentlemen” after u retire?
    So, do they play soccer? Join the S-league perhaps. With donations like your mums 1K, sponsorship should be no biggie.

  14. Ah Neh Avatar

    Never even heard of it though I’m a regular. Interesting concept. Maybe you’re only “invited” to join the “league of xtraordinary gentlemen” after u retire?
    So, do they play soccer? Join the S-league perhaps. With donations like your mums 1K, sponsorship should be no biggie.

  15. Ah Neh Avatar

    Dude! Go attend their AGM on Apr 29.

  16. Ah Neh Avatar

    Dude! Go attend their AGM on Apr 29.

  17. fch Avatar
    fch

    its a legit webbie. spotted the logo and link from safra’s website.
    http://www.safra.sg/index2.shtml

  18. fch Avatar
    fch

    its a legit webbie. spotted the logo and link from safra’s website.
    http://www.safra.sg/index2.shtml

  19. Lincoln Avatar
    Lincoln

    “next time you born baby no backside!”

    hahahaha…

    I’ll remember that one.

  20. Lincoln Avatar
    Lincoln

    “next time you born baby no backside!”

    hahahaha…

    I’ll remember that one.

  21. Michael Chua Avatar

    You’re right. SAFVL sucks indeed. If these were really former SAF regulars, they should have fat wallets, since SAF regulars get considerable amounts of gratuity, pension. What do they need to solicit donation(s) from the public for? They really do suck for calling your mum unpatriotic ;p

  22. Michael Chua Avatar

    You’re right. SAFVL sucks indeed. If these were really former SAF regulars, they should have fat wallets, since SAF regulars get considerable amounts of gratuity, pension. What do they need to solicit donation(s) from the public for? They really do suck for calling your mum unpatriotic ;p

  23. Ku Avatar
    Ku

    From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran

    “A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning “old”) is a person who is experienced in a particular area, and is particularly used to refer to people in the armed forces. It often refers to retired service personnel. However, any member of the armed forces who has seen combat or has served for a long time can be described as a veteran.”

    Well in this case SAFVL’s membership seems to be for regulars who have served for a long time…

    Maybe good to “expose” their dubious fund raising technique considering the charity scandals we’ve had.

  24. Ku Avatar
    Ku

    From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran

    “A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning “old”) is a person who is experienced in a particular area, and is particularly used to refer to people in the armed forces. It often refers to retired service personnel. However, any member of the armed forces who has seen combat or has served for a long time can be described as a veteran.”

    Well in this case SAFVL’s membership seems to be for regulars who have served for a long time…

    Maybe good to “expose” their dubious fund raising technique considering the charity scandals we’ve had.

  25. HEHE Avatar
    HEHE

    YEah.. cursing them will teach them a lesson..

  26. HEHE Avatar
    HEHE

    YEah.. cursing them will teach them a lesson..

  27. bliz Avatar

    it really exist. they do organise remembrance ceromonies…last time in sec sch naughty police catch cockroach, i had to attend a ww1 or is it two remembrance at kranji memorial, that was the first time i heard of that group…i also remember like got two boyscouts fainted…those were the days in npcc…tougher then even now army loh…heck i even have the unsigned cert…http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=save00184ho.jpg
    actually i had the brouchure for the war memorial sites i think but it just went to my recycling bin i think(in my room, yes i have one in my room) couldnt find it…maybe it’s somewhere else

    your mum was invoiced for $1000? that smells like cheating…

  28. bliz Avatar

    it really exist. they do organise remembrance ceromonies…last time in sec sch naughty police catch cockroach, i had to attend a ww1 or is it two remembrance at kranji memorial, that was the first time i heard of that group…i also remember like got two boyscouts fainted…those were the days in npcc…tougher then even now army loh…heck i even have the unsigned cert…http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=save00184ho.jpg
    actually i had the brouchure for the war memorial sites i think but it just went to my recycling bin i think(in my room, yes i have one in my room) couldnt find it…maybe it’s somewhere else

    your mum was invoiced for $1000? that smells like cheating…

  29. Ash Avatar
    Ash

    I’m thankful for your mother’s contrabution but… You ungrateful bunch of people… my father risked his life for the freedom of this country and founded this organization to show gratitude to his fellow veterans who have done the same. What have you done that was so special? I was also in NS along with my brother, friends and cousins.

    Just because you got agnry with one person who inappropriately treated your mother (for which I can understand your displeasure)You blame EVERYONE? Blame THAT person not the organization!!!

    We would be speaking INDONESIAN, fighting racism, religious persecution if not for theses selfless individuals. Think it through properly before you do or say something.

    I was in a combat unit in 1989 as well, which makes you around my age, we grew up free not knowing what its like to face such hardships, I’m thankful that my father is here today to remind me that freedom is not free… he lost many good men. They did not have the money, training, sophicasted weapons systems we do today. Try saying thank you for a change!

  30. Ash Avatar
    Ash

    I’m thankful for your mother’s contrabution but… You ungrateful bunch of people… my father risked his life for the freedom of this country and founded this organization to show gratitude to his fellow veterans who have done the same. What have you done that was so special? I was also in NS along with my brother, friends and cousins.

    Just because you got agnry with one person who inappropriately treated your mother (for which I can understand your displeasure)You blame EVERYONE? Blame THAT person not the organization!!!

    We would be speaking INDONESIAN, fighting racism, religious persecution if not for theses selfless individuals. Think it through properly before you do or say something.

    I was in a combat unit in 1989 as well, which makes you around my age, we grew up free not knowing what its like to face such hardships, I’m thankful that my father is here today to remind me that freedom is not free… he lost many good men. They did not have the money, training, sophicasted weapons systems we do today. Try saying thank you for a change!

  31. alsolaopengmah Avatar
    alsolaopengmah

    same thing about not one swallow makes a summer. them veterans who were involved during the confrontation are not necessarliy the same ones as those in vl now. i was a regular too, served in overseas missions. risked my life too, but not a member of vl

    yah .. report police.. just because website is legit, or organisation is legit.. fund raising like that is not..

    so who approved this approach.. committee meh?

  32. alsolaopengmah Avatar
    alsolaopengmah

    same thing about not one swallow makes a summer. them veterans who were involved during the confrontation are not necessarliy the same ones as those in vl now. i was a regular too, served in overseas missions. risked my life too, but not a member of vl

    yah .. report police.. just because website is legit, or organisation is legit.. fund raising like that is not..

    so who approved this approach.. committee meh?

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