日前，在新加坡中华总商会举办的第57界悼念日本占领时期死难人民祭礼暨全民防卫纪念40周年活动中，教育部部长陈振声（Chan Chun Sing）、中华总商会会长高泉庆和董事们、国防部高级将领、新加坡武装部队代表、退役军人同盟、各界宗教领袖和学生代表等陆续向人民英雄纪念碑敬献花圈。
他强调：最强大的防卫不是买来的，
下面是他的讲话原文：
Today, at the 57th War Memorial Service organised by the 新加坡中华总商会 SCCCI, we stood in remembrance of our forebears and pioneers, who gave their lives to defend Singapore. They were united in the face of conflict. As we mark 40 years of Total Defence, we are reminded of the importance of being one people, in an era of diverging geopolitical conditions. Peace will always be tenuous. Every Singaporean, from all walks of life, must play a part to safeguard what we value – from the teacher, to the student, the soldier, the healthcare worker, the executive and the business owner. The most powerful defence is not bought – but built. This is how an improbable nation like Singapore can continue to flourish.
歌曲欣赏：如愿
