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 53rd birthday. 

During the ceremony, artistes from the Music and Drama Company, an entity of So Drama! Entertainment, and children from Sunflower Preschool @ MINDEF put up a heartfelt performance showcasing this year's National Day Parade theme, "We Are Singapore". Staff and performers also joined in to sing a medley of popular National Day songs. After the performance, six-year old Andrew Sng from Sunflower Preschool @ MINDEF who participated in the performance enthused, "Happy Birthday Singapore! Thank you for being my home!"

Also present at the ceremony were Senior Ministers of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Army Brigadier-General Goh Si Hou 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.