Total Defence Day [Personal Recount]

It was 15 February 1942 when the British surrendered to the Japanese, the day when we commemorate Total Defence Day after the Japanese Occupation. Pupils from all levels in our school gathered in the field behind their class card.

In our school, we had to participate in the fire drill every Total Defence Day. We have to line up outside the class room after we hear the siren and followed the evacuation route down to the field. This exercise is to famillarise ourselves with the evacuation route so that we would know what to do if a fire really broke out in our school. We had to squad down while the form teacher takes our attendance.

After the fire drill, we were supposed to go to the hall. The audience, my friends and I, had to settle down before everything started. At first, the National Cadet Corps member (NCC) performed a skit on the war between the British and the Japanese. After that, Red Cross Youth also did a presentation on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The Red Cross members also told us why we need to know how to use the medication in the first – aid box. It was very useful to us as some of us do not know what to do if someone was injured or had fainted. After the Red Cross presentation, the National Cadet Corps member performed a free style show too. It was very nice and wonderful show that they had put up. After that, we sang the song ‘Home’. I really like that song a lot as it really reminds us that we should always remember that there is a home for us to go back when we are feeling low.

After the performances, we returned to our class and Ms Sasi gave out the worksheet from the library. This Total Defence Day is indeed one of the most memorable one for me. I also learnt a lot of things for the performances like what to do if my friends are injured or had fainted.