Story of Salvation

The monument(Civilian War Memorial) was built on a burial chamber which contained ashes of thousands of unknown civilians exhumed by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, from those “mass graves” that were discovered. The base, surrounded by a shallow pool of water gives an atmosphere of serenity. Completed in 1964, and popularly known as the “Chopsticks”, this 70 m high monument with four tapering columns symbolises the four cultures of Singapore merging into one. Inscribed on the memorial’s platform base, in our four main languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Indian), are the words, “Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945″. Swan & McLaren, were the architects. The memorial originally had a parkland of about 1.82 ha (4.5 acres), but some of that space may have been reduced due to development in the area.

In 1962 some of the remains of Chinese massacred by the Japanese soon after their conquest of Singapore were exhumed in various parts of Singapore. These included Pasir Putih, Changi, Yio Chu Kang, Jalan Kayu, Jurong, Telok Ayer, Kranji and Siglap. Official figures give the number of victims to 6,000 but the estimated number could have been between 25,000 to 50,000.

This Memorial is a grim reminder to Singapore of what can happen to a conquered people. Total Defence becomes meaningful to Singaporeans…

So that is something about the Civilian War Memorial… something about the dead, the people who died in World War II, something which I did not experience, even before I was born…

Now, lets begin with the story of the dead:

Blessed Singapura, Blessed Singapore… This is the Story of Salvation, unveiling the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary…

This black butterfly, so unique, was spotted on 11.28am yesterday, 10 June 2010

This is the same butterfly that filled my house at Boon Lay Drive, Blk 169, so many years ago… It was such a huge butterfly…

White Pigeon among the black pigeons at Civilian War Memorial

Rise With Christ
Civilian War Memorial
War Memorial Park

As I typed this post, my heart sings the song : Ave Maria — As I kneel before you….

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