Social+Studies+Assignment+1

__ Social Studies 5A Activity 12__
 * IN MEMORY OF OUR WAR HEROES**

If we do not remember our heroes, we will not produce heroes. If we do not record their sacrifices, their sacrifices would have been in vain. For without these memories, the next generation will not have the fighting spirit to carry on.

(//A quote by BG(NS) George Yeo at the launch of THE PRICE OF PEACE, June 1997)//

Note: The Price of Peace was a Mediacorp Channel 8 drama series televised in 1997. The serial's chinese name was 和平的代价 and it revolved around the time before and during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore giving a glimpse of the sufferings of Singaporeans during that time under Japanese rule. It also touched on Operation Sook Ching, and chronicled the story of local war heroes, in particular, Lim Bo Seng and Elizabeth Choy. (Source : [])

In the space below, answer question 1 and /or question 2. Don't forget to type your name in [ ] after your comments. You don't have to type your full name.

**Question 1 Why do you think it is important to remember our war heroes?**
they suffered hard times for us [ellen] they went through a life and death situation for Singapore to be what it is today [ellen] Without them,we wouldn't be alive and our parents,grandparents and great grandparents too.They were the ones that help ended the war and saved lots of people.[Jess] they did so much just for Singapore. Without them, we might not be what we are today. Lets hope war will not happen again to singapore! [ yuchern] We want to remember the ones who protected Singapore from Japan[guan] So that we will not forget the sacrifices they had made for us.[gwyneth] So that we would remember the people, the people who fought bravely for Singapore against the Japanese that gave us such a comfortable life today.[changchang] so that we will not commit the same mistake again and is also partially because they have sacrificed so much for us.[reiko the great] If they did not help us, we will still be in the Japanese Occupation (JO) and suffer the torture and the life they had lived during the JO. [Sim] So that we remember the sacrifices they made for us.[kate] If they did not sacrifice for the country, today will not be what it is today.They let us realise that war is cruel and painful. [Jia Min] They left their beloved ones and friends unselfishly for the sake of the country and people so we should hold them in esteem.[Jia Min] We learnt that we should not take things for granted and treasure what we have. We also should learn from the mistake and not to repeat it.[Jia Min] By remembering our war heroes, their efforts for survival (POWs) and bravely fighting our war would not have been in vain as we remember them, we know that without them, there is an even higher possibility of us not being around in this day.[Dylan] Without them,there would not be Singapore,without singapore there would be no parents and without parents,there will be no us so I would like to thank the war heros for risking their lives spying for the country and fighting bravely.(BRENDONJULIUSCAESAR) Our War Heroes created a long history of Singapore. They showed us their good core values which are worth learning from. (joey) It is important as we can learn good qualities from them and remember what they did to save the country.(Jia Yi) We can remember the sacrifices they have done for us to give us a better life.(GGoh) They suffered and sacrificed to give Singapore a future.(ganjj) Our war heroes fought bravely to protect Singapore from the Japanese. Without the war heroes, Singapore will not be what it is today.[Claresta] So we can learn from the mistakes they made. IF there is another war, we can be more prepared. [Wei Li] So we will not make the same mistakes again and be more prepared. [siqi] It is important to remember them because they have made many sacrifices for Singapore and if we forget about them, history would be forgotten and their sacrifices would be in vain.[hazelnut] if not for them, we may not be even living today [theELLENdegrenesshow] They suffered and sacrificed themselves for us .(charl0tte) They were brave and sacrificed themselves so that they could give us a future. [ jt...>.<] Without them, we might not have any future,and everyday will be a waste for me(king yung) They had sacrified their lives to teach us not to make the same mistake (tzi yene) They gave their lifes so that we could live and so that we will learn from our mistakes so that we will repeat it again.(wengjj) I would like to thank him for defending the nation [ellen] I would like to ask if it was painful to even just see other inmates being tortured although you do not know them [ellen] I would want to ask him how he felt when they fight,get caught and tortured.I also want to find out how they felt when they know they are still our war heroes.[Jess] i would like to ask what happen to them and how were they tortured[ yuchern] I would like to ask what did the Japenese ask them and what did they answer.[ yuchern] I would like to ask them why they wanted to fight this war[guan] I would like to ask him how he felt when he was in the midst of the war.[gwyneth] I would like to thank them for facing all odds to try and defend the country.[kate] I would like to ask them why they would rather be tortured than die.[kate] I would like to thank then for doing their part in defending Singapore and plus,also ask them how was it like and how did they feel when they were captured and tortured.[changchang] i would like to thank them for defending us during the war and going through so much pain just to protect us. i would also like to ask them why they helped us and what kept them going during the torturous period.[reiko the great] I would like to ask them what gave the the courage or will that allowed them to live. [Sim] I would like to ask them if it was torturing to be captured by the Japanese.[Jolynn] I would ask if they had ever regretted of the decision they had made.[Jia Min] I would ask them what gave them the will and determination, courage and faith to go through the tortures and sufferings.[Jia Min] I would also thank them sincerely.[Jia Min] I would thank them, and ask if they would forgive the Japanese even though they attacked Singapore.[Dylan] I would ask them if they have any regrets and try help them fufil them,I would thank them for their effort.(BRENDONJULIUSCAESAR) I would like to ask them what inspired them to be a war hero?(joey) I would ask them how they managed to spy the Japenese and how their lives were during World War two.(Jia Yi) I would thank them for their sacrifices they have made for us.(GGoh) I would ask him what he would do if he had a second chance.(ganjj) I would thank them for protecting Singapore and i would like to ask them who or what gave them the courage to continue to live on. [Claresta] i hope that after the war, everyone can live in a peaceful environment. (kohyx) I would thank them for protecting Singapore during the war and ask them how did it felt then. [Wei Li] I would like to ask them if they regretted making the descision.[siqi] I would like to ask them what gives them the determination to go through all tortures.[siqi] I would like to ask them how they felt when the war was over(?anderz?) I would like to ask them if they have any regrets and thank them for sacrificing themselves.(charl0tte) I would like to thank them for their courage. I would also like to ask them why they would not help the Japanese than be tortured by Japanese. [ jt...>.<] I would like to thank them for sacrificing their lives to give us a better future.(tzi yene) I will like to ask them why did they sacrifice themselves for us and too thank them for giving us our future, without them we will not have what we have today. I look forward to reading wonderful entries.
 * Question 2 If you had a chance to speak to any war hero, what would you ask or say to this war hero?**

For your additional reading pleasure: Websites about Elizabeth Choy: 1. http://nofearsingapore.blogspot.com/2006/09/war-heroine-elizabeth-choy-dies.html 2. http://www.a2o.com.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/elizabethchoy.htm

Website about Halford Boudewyn []  Website about POWs []

Mrs Theresa Teo (2 July 2009)