Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.

I am not going to deliver a long speech to keep you from dinner. We are hosting the dinner, not Guests-of-Honour. Chief of Defence Force, the Service Chiefs, and of course the Organising Chairman, are here to basically say a big thank you. Tonight’s dinner is simply to say a big and heartfelt thank you to all of you who made the NDP a resounding success. I think the video says it all. It was probably a two-hour or a two-and-a-half-hour show but involved months, and hours and thousands of people trying to get things right. I know the many hours of practice, the late nights, the weekends burnt for rehearsals. The Chief of Defence Force and I visited some of you during the previews and we were moved by the passion and commitment all of you showed. Our Muslim brothers and sisters, for example, had to do it during Ramadan and their enthusiasm and performance did not flag despite the fasting month.

When people ask me, sometimes in casual conversation, why NDP participants, Organising Committee and sponsors are so committed, why participants spend thousands of hours, why sponsors, year after year, continue to sponsor, and what reward or benefits you get - my answer to them is a simple one. There are no big rewards or grand recognition for all your efforts. There are none.  Each of you is motivated by the simple and selfless act of celebrating our independence. I have spoken to participants before; I know that in each NDP, there are many heartfelt stories. I remember one particular NDP, someone had lost a loved one in his family. Despite the mourning, he decided to continue. I know that for all the participants, it is your way of saying "Happy Birthday Singapore", your way of expressing love for Singapore, your home.

All of you will be thrilled to know that the NDP was a spectacular success. I am not saying it just because I am Minister for Defence and we are organising. This is from responses, unsolicited. We have had many positive comments on many blogs - including the NDP site, cyberpioneer, even Prime Minister's Facebook. The hundreds of thousands who watched it live or on TV, Singaporeans and foreigners alike, were thrilled by the dazzling and spectacular multimedia display, pyrotechnics, the songs and choreographed dances. But I think the NDP went beyond being a spectator's spectacle, good as it was. Many were touched, and told me so, some moved to tears by the simple story that NDP told of who we are, what we are and what makes us one people. They saw, indeed many felt, the unity of a multicultural society, living in harmony and bonded as one people. As somebody put it to me, there were many "lump in the throat" moments. The NDP allowed Singaporeans to share in the theme "Loving Singapore, Our Home" and many spontaneously expressed what they loved about our country.

The "Advance-in-Review Order", many of you will remember, with the naval and aerial displays, was a fitting tribute to 45 years of NS, as it reminded us of the contributions and sacrifices of all those who discharge their duty to defend our country. Singaporeans liked that we used this occasion to thank all NSmen for their service to our nation.

This year's NDP success is your success. It took 16,000 participants of all ages, from our partner organisations, sponsors, volunteer groups and the SAF, who put their heart and soul to put up a grand show. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Congratulations to all for a job well done.

Let me end, on behalf of MINDEF, by thanking each of you again, including the corporate and individual sponsors who have contributed generously to our nation's celebrations and for putting up a truly wonderful and memorable NDP. I wish you all the best in the years ahead and look forward to your continued support for future NDPs. Thank you and enjoy the evening ahead.