Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen led about 3,000 personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in reciting the National Pledge and singing the National Anthem this morning during MINDEF's National Day Observance Ceremony to celebrate Singapore's 55th birthday. The ceremony was held virtually this year via video-conferencing with personnel joining in the ceremony remotely from their respective offices and homes.

During the virtual observance ceremony, a heartfelt performance by artistes from the Music and Drama Company, an entity of So Drama! Entertainment, was screened showcasing this year's National Day Parade theme, "Together, A Stronger Singapore". The pre-recorded performance comprised a repertoire of community and National Day songs spanning the different eras of Singapore's journey.

Also present at the ceremony were Senior Ministers of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How and Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Permanent Secretary for Defence Development Mr Joseph Leong, the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as other senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF. All SAF units, including overseas training detachments, will also be holding observance ceremonies to celebrate National Day.