CFC Liu Kai Given Posthumous Promotion & Military Send-Off
Liu Kai was expected at home in the afternoon to celebrate his elder sister’s birthday.
But an unfortunate turn of events, led to a tragic end for the joyous occasion.
Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) Liu Kai was involved in a “vehicular incident” between a Land Rover and Bionix vehicle on 4 Nov, which resulted in his passing within 25 minutes.
We join Pte Liu’s family in remembering his life as a Singaporean son who “loved family” and had a “very good relationship” with his mother who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer this April.
“My birthday became the day he died.”
His next-of-kin have requested for their names and ages to be withheld from the media, as they spoke at Liu Kai’s wake.
Said his elder sister in Mandarin to reporters on 5 Nov,
We were waiting for my younger brother to come back in the afternoon…But my birthday became the day that he died.
Only son in the family
As the youngest son of a family of 5, Corporal First Class (CFC) Liu was 22 years old when he passed away during a field training exercise at Jalan Murai.
Liu’s father added,
Our hearts really ached. To suddenly receive this kind of news about your son, your own child, I couldn’t accept it.
However, Mr Liu emphasised that he believed it’s every citizen’s duty to do National Service (NS).
His son will also be given a military send-off and cremation at Mandai Crematorium on Tuesday (6 Nov).
A close-knit family
Liu’s elder sister shared that their family had moved to Singapore more than 10 years ago, and that they were applying for citizenship.
She knew that CFC Liu looked forward to being a Singaporean and representing the country. The family remains proud that he “sacrificed himself for his country”.
Kind, cheerful & hardworking man
Liu Kai was not only “very kind and cheerful”, but also a hardworking student who would also chip in to help tutor his friends. He would also encourage his friends to reframe their perspectives in “a positive light”, when they faced difficulties.
CFC Liu never complained and was popular with his fellow soldiers. As for his personal life, he was an “active church member” who planned to embark on a mission trip in northern Thailand to help local children.
He also harboured dreams of becoming an engineer one day, after gaining a university degree once his NS duties were complete in 2020.
Proud to serve NS
Mr Liu added that CFC Liu “really liked being in the Army”, and felt proud about his service to our nation. He loved inviting his family to “ceremonies” to take pictures.
As a Committee of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the “circumstances leading to the incident”, Mr Liu hopes that the public won’t speculate until the investigation is complete.
The Liu family believes that the COI will give them “justice” and have requested for no “monetary compensation” from MINDEF or the SAF.
Viral photo still in circulation
As for the viral photo circulating on social media depicting the aftermath of the incident, Liu Kai’s sister only had this to say,
We hope that all Singaporeans do not, because of what is being said on the Internet, misunderstand some things. Don’t misunderstand Liu Kai.
Holding back her emotions, she invited Singaporeans to attend Liu Kai’s final send-off on Tuesday at Mandai Crematorium.
In her words,
We hope all Singaporeans can come to Liu Kai’s memorial and send-off tomorrow, and let Liu Kai see, for the last time, the people of Singapore.
The nation grieves for a fallen soldier
We hope the Liu family will soon find solace and closure once the investigations are complete.
MS News would once again like to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of CFC Liu.
CFC Liu Kai will be laid to rest after a cremation ceremony at Mandai Crematorium which will be held at 1.25PM on Tuesday (6 Nov).
Also read:
https://mustsharenews.com/nsf-deaths/
Featured image from The Straits Times via Liu Kai’s Family.
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