MINDEF and the SAF Celebrate Singapore's 48th Birthday

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen leading personnel from MINDEF and the SAF in the recitation of the National Pledge.

More than 2000 personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recited the National Pledge and sang the National Anthem, led by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the National Day Observance Ceremony held at MINDEF this morning to celebrate Singapore's 48th birthday.

During the ceremony, artistes from the SAF Music and Drama Company and children from Cherie Hearts @ Gombak put up a stirring 20-minute performance in line with this year's National Day Parade theme, "Many Stories, One Singapore". Staff and performers joined in to sing a medley of popular National Day songs during the ceremony. Six-year-old Ryan Kwan Rui Song, who participated in the performance, said proudly, "I feel very happy to be able to perform today to express my love for Singapore!"

Also present at the ceremony were Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo, Permanent Secretary for Defence Development Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, Service Chiefs 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.

Dr Ng interacting with children from Cherie Hearts @ Gombak after the ceremony.