Netizen gracefully hits back at woman who ranted about NSFs causing jams in Pasir Ris

A netizen has gracefully hit back at a contributor who complained about National Servicemen and their parents causing jams in the vicinity of Pasir Ris Bus Interchange where recruits gather during book-in and book-out days.

In her rant that was posted on All Singapore Stuff, the contributor, Elaine, expressed dissatisfaction about how the jams have been caused at the White Sands area by parents who pamper their sons.

She has also suggested that NSFs should take public transport instead to reduce the human traffic.

This, according to her, will prevent 'confusion and delays'.

On May 16, a netizen responded elegantly to the contributor's complaint with a post he wrote on Facebook.

Said the netizen:

"Sorry for being an inconvenience. Sorry for serving. Sorry for only being able to book out on Friday evenings. Sorry my parents care for me and yearn to see me and want to pick me up so I can get home as soon as possible after having already spent the entire week in camp. Lastly, I'm sorry my entire week in camp doesn't match up to the 15 mins you take to get out of traffic. Because your time is more important than all of the NSFs'.

"We're privileged to live in a country that's safe and assuring. We're privileged to live in a country where education is advocated and ensured. We're privileged to live in a country where progress couldn't have been more rapid than ever.

"Yet at times, this privilege blinds (us). This privilege isn't entitled. This freedom didn't come by chance - as we're so often told. The very nation that prides itself on growth and unity; this very nation that builds its democracy on justice and equality. This society is the only society I know that picks at every possible moment to spite our boys [men] in uniform.

"Our economy thrives knowing our interests are protected; our sovereignty is protected. Yet the very people who protects those things we enjoy are constantly in the fire. Now, who's going to protect them when they're taking fire from the very people they're protecting it for?

"'We sacrifice what we can sacrifice today so that we won't have to sacrifice what we cannot sacrifice tomorrow.'
Now, if you can't seem to let go of that 15 mins it takes for you to get out of traffic, what say the hour or two it'll take for those boys to get home if they all take the bus or train?

"And before we know it, we'll be seeing another article about how our NSFs are taking up seats and space on public transportation, depriving the public of such said amenities.

"What? Are they paralysed? They no legs ah? Cannot walk home ah?"

The netizen's post has garnered more than 1,200 reactions and 475 shares since it was posted.