bigsale
June 14th, 2008, 10:52 AM
Clifton Lam Jia Hao promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant
IT WAS always Clifton Lam Jia Hao’s childhood dream to be a pilot.
And the Pilot Officer Cadet fulfilled that dream posthumously on Friday when he was dressed in the full military ceremonial dress with the wings pin that he dearly coveted. He was also promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
But Clifton’s mother, Ms Tan Ley Hiang, hopes to have something to remember that her son — who died in Brunei on Wednesday evening following a jungle trek — had achieved his ambition.
When Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, attended 2LT Lam’s wake with MP Michael Palmer on Friday afternoon, Ms Tan asked for her second son’s Letter of Commissioning so that she could frame it up at home.
Mr Teo, who spent about 20 minutes at the wake to offer his condolences and support, told her that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would “work on itâ€.
2LT Lam’s death was the second training fatality in two days.
On Tuesday morning, Recruit (REC) Andrew Cheah Wei Siong, 20, collapsed during a 2km walk on Pulau Tekong just five days after enlisting.
REC Cheah, whose family was too distraught to be interviewed, was cremated on Thursday.
All physical and endurance training activities across all the SAF’s service branches -- the Army, Navy and Air Force -- have been suspended until Saturday.
The fit 20-year-old was passionate about flying, said 2LT Lam’s uncle Mr Cedric Tan, and had appealed to get into the SAF flying school -- after he failed an initial eyesight test.
“When he got in, he was so happy and told all his family and friends about it,†Mr Tan, 31, said. “The letter will be something for her to be proud about and to remember Clifton by.â€
Scores of 2LT Lam’s friends -- including those from his course and the students’ union at Temasek Polytechnic, and the army -- streamed in to attend the wake on Friday evening.
About 20 of them turned up in white as a show of support. Several of them, after offering incense and speaking to Mrs Tan, had reddened eyes. Mrs Tan was visibly affected when 2LT Lam’s friends talked to her and broke into tears several times.
“He was a great friend,†said polytechnic mate Alan Low, 21, swallowing his tears. “He made a very big impact on many of our lives.â€
Top brass officers from the Air Force also visited the family throughout the afternoon.
The family has received a funeral grant from SAF, said uncle Mr Tan, without disclosing the sum.
2LT Lam’s loved ones are still coming to terms with his sudden death. Mrs Tan is also concerned about her youngest son, Jordan Lam Jia Wei, seven, going to the army.
2LT Lam adored Jordan and found time to take him out whenever possible, said his uncle.
“He was always concerned about people around him. He always found time to find out how those around him are doing,†he added.
The sociable youngster would make sure he spent time with his family and girlfriend of three years and met up with different groups of friends in the few hours he had when he booked out of camp during weekends.
His girlfriend, whom the family is “very close†to, is still distraught.
“Clifton’s mother already treats her as a daughter-in-law, but now... I think she wants her to be her god-daughter,†said Mr Tan. 2LT Lam’s funeral will be held at Mandai Crematorium on Sunday at 3pm.
Source: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/259564.asp
IT WAS always Clifton Lam Jia Hao’s childhood dream to be a pilot.
And the Pilot Officer Cadet fulfilled that dream posthumously on Friday when he was dressed in the full military ceremonial dress with the wings pin that he dearly coveted. He was also promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
But Clifton’s mother, Ms Tan Ley Hiang, hopes to have something to remember that her son — who died in Brunei on Wednesday evening following a jungle trek — had achieved his ambition.
When Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, attended 2LT Lam’s wake with MP Michael Palmer on Friday afternoon, Ms Tan asked for her second son’s Letter of Commissioning so that she could frame it up at home.
Mr Teo, who spent about 20 minutes at the wake to offer his condolences and support, told her that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would “work on itâ€.
2LT Lam’s death was the second training fatality in two days.
On Tuesday morning, Recruit (REC) Andrew Cheah Wei Siong, 20, collapsed during a 2km walk on Pulau Tekong just five days after enlisting.
REC Cheah, whose family was too distraught to be interviewed, was cremated on Thursday.
All physical and endurance training activities across all the SAF’s service branches -- the Army, Navy and Air Force -- have been suspended until Saturday.
The fit 20-year-old was passionate about flying, said 2LT Lam’s uncle Mr Cedric Tan, and had appealed to get into the SAF flying school -- after he failed an initial eyesight test.
“When he got in, he was so happy and told all his family and friends about it,†Mr Tan, 31, said. “The letter will be something for her to be proud about and to remember Clifton by.â€
Scores of 2LT Lam’s friends -- including those from his course and the students’ union at Temasek Polytechnic, and the army -- streamed in to attend the wake on Friday evening.
About 20 of them turned up in white as a show of support. Several of them, after offering incense and speaking to Mrs Tan, had reddened eyes. Mrs Tan was visibly affected when 2LT Lam’s friends talked to her and broke into tears several times.
“He was a great friend,†said polytechnic mate Alan Low, 21, swallowing his tears. “He made a very big impact on many of our lives.â€
Top brass officers from the Air Force also visited the family throughout the afternoon.
The family has received a funeral grant from SAF, said uncle Mr Tan, without disclosing the sum.
2LT Lam’s loved ones are still coming to terms with his sudden death. Mrs Tan is also concerned about her youngest son, Jordan Lam Jia Wei, seven, going to the army.
2LT Lam adored Jordan and found time to take him out whenever possible, said his uncle.
“He was always concerned about people around him. He always found time to find out how those around him are doing,†he added.
The sociable youngster would make sure he spent time with his family and girlfriend of three years and met up with different groups of friends in the few hours he had when he booked out of camp during weekends.
His girlfriend, whom the family is “very close†to, is still distraught.
“Clifton’s mother already treats her as a daughter-in-law, but now... I think she wants her to be her god-daughter,†said Mr Tan. 2LT Lam’s funeral will be held at Mandai Crematorium on Sunday at 3pm.
Source: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/259564.asp