on this fine day, several groups of Singaporeans participated in observation ceremonies on various parts of the land to welcome the arrival of national day. singapore army 3rd divsion had our observation ceremony too, on the floating platform. BG Tan Chuan-Jin, being the chairman of NDP 2009 EXCO committee and Commander of 3rd division, made a speech that once again inspired me.
"Come Together" is the motto for this year's NDP. However, simple it may be, there is a greater meaning to it. on total defence day, we questioned, "what will you defend?" on racial harmony day, we questioned, "whos your neighbour?" now, on national day, we are questioning, "what is your dream for Singapore?" coming together as Singaporeans, what is our vision for the future of Singapore? what do we see as Singaporeans? "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people." do we see ourselves as one, as Singaporeans? This is the reason why our theme song for this year's NDP is titled, "what do you see?"
well, after hearing what the brigadier general said, my views of the theme song changes. going through the lyrics with the understanding of the rationale, the song is meaningful. i believe he is the reason why this year's NDP is going to be different from the others in the past. reason being, it is much more meaningful. his questions injected meaning into our national day, which seems to become just a big show over the years. this year, it is not just a big show, but an engagement of all Singaporeans.
of course, not forgetting those great and creative minds in 3div, marching contingents, back stage crews, security personnels and others from 3div as well, public sponsors, participants and many more. my unit was in charge of the advertising and publications for NDP. be it getting sponsorships, creating awareness on facebook as NDPeeps, twitter and others, going into communal places such as the institute of mental health (IMH) to pack funpacks and assisi hospice in mount alvernia hospital to perform a mini-NDP for the terminally ill patients, upcoming pledge moment and many more.
after the speech, we recited the pledge and sang the national anthem. oh man. this time round, the singing of national anthem really got FEEL. due to the fact that all of us are wearing uniform, we saluted and sang the national anthem. its not like we have never done that before, but when the video cameras screened us on to the screens, there was a sudden strong spurt of patriotism! it was a magnificant view that everyone in green, no matter what rank you are and what vocation you are from (be it blue, black, green, khaki or red beret), are doing the same action and singing our very own national anthem, 44years after wining back our country from the foreign powers who will not value this land and its people more than ourselves.
Note: im always patriotic at times. but dont ask me to sign on army because i may love the country, but i dont really love the way army works. anyway, try catching me at junction 8 on national day nitex, 8.22pm. i will be there to help out in the pledge moment!
