MINDEF and SAF Personnel Celebrate Singapore's 52nd Birthday and NS50

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen led approximately 2,500 Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel to recite the National Pledge and sing the National Anthem this morning during MINDEF's National Day Observance Ceremony. The ceremony was held at MINDEF to celebrate Singapore's 52nd birthday and 50 years of National Service (NS50). 

During the ceremony, artistes from the Music and Drama Company, an entity of So Drama! Entertainment, and children from Cherie Hearts @ Gombak put up a heartfelt performance showcasing this year's National Day Parade theme, "#OneNationTogether". In addition to popular National Day songs that were familiar to the audience, the performers also sang a medley of songs from the new NS50 album to appreciate the contributions of past and present national servicemen. After the performance, five-year old Kaitlyn from Cherie Hearts @ Gombak who participated in the performance, proudly exclaimed, "I love Singapore because it is my country. Singapore is my home!"

Present at the ceremony were Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung, Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, Permanent Secretary for Defence Development Mr Neo Kian Hong, Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan, Chief of Army MG Melvyn Ong, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong and senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF. All SAF units, including overseas training detachments, will also be holding observance ceremonies to celebrate National Day.