A simple night drive turned into a heartwarming experience for Singapore's newly appointed Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing when he crossed paths with a familiar face during his rounds.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday (June 4), Minister Chan recounted how soldier Zhong Ting, stationed at a military camp gate during night duty, immediately recognized the visiting official. What made the encounter special was their shared history - they had met years earlier when Zhong was still a student.

"He showed me our old selfie from when I visited his school," wrote Chan, who previously served as Education Minister from May 2021 to May 2026. The young serviceman had kept the photo all these years, creating an unexpected moment of connection during what would otherwise have been routine security checks.

"Sometimes it's moments like these that really make your day (or night)," the minister reflected in his post. Their brief but pleasant conversation left him continuing his journey home with renewed appreciation for Singapore's defenders - and an undeniable smile on his face.

The encounter gave Chan pause to reflect on how former students have grown into capable young men serving the nation. "It's a special feeling to see the schoolboys I met while at MOE maturing as young men defending our country," he shared warmly.

The Defence Minister took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge all servicemen stationed across Singapore, guarding military camps and critical installations through long nights while most citizens sleep peacefully. "Their loved ones should be so proud of them," he emphasized, recognizing both their service and family support behind each uniformed guardian.

Chan concluded with heartfelt appreciation for Zhong's service and expressed hope for more such meaningful interactions: "I look forward to engaging more with our teenagers in uniform - listening to their stories helps me better understand their experiences protecting our nation."