CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY THE SISPEC WAY

This year's National Day was unlike any other for Specialist Cadet (SCT) Ng Jun Xiang and his family.

Besides embarking on a 28km route march on 9 Aug to commemorate his graduation from the 52nd Basic Section Leader Course (BSLC), SCT Ng also got to celebrate National Day with his family and friends as part of a family engagement programme organised by the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC).

National Day for SCT Ng and 900 other specialist cadets began with the National Education route march that brought them from Kranji War Memorial back to Pasir Laba Camp. This was followed by a reunion of sorts with friends and family as they played a series of games before tucking into a sumptuous dinner. The highlight of the night was the live screening of the National Day Parade (NDP) through five enormous screens erected specially for the event.

Despite having a long and gruelling day, SCT Ng was in high spirits during the broadcast of the parade.

"Watching the parade with my family and comrades was such an amazing and unique experience," he told cyberpioneer.

"There's nothing better than being with loved ones after a tiring day and celebrating Singapore's birthday together!"

Everyone was visibly excited during the climax of the NDP parade, clambering eagerly to their feet for the recitation of the Pledge in unison at 8.22pm.

"It was such a great feeling to recite the Pledge along with other Singaporeans," said SCT Low Ming Quan, who was also celebrating the occasion with his family members.

"Even though the other Singaporeans were not physically with us, I really felt we were one people and one nation during that short period of time," he added.

Another specialist cadet who joined in the festivities to commemorate the nation s birthday was SCT Muhammad Irfan. Although his family members were unable make it for the event, he still enjoyed himself celebrating National Day with his course mates.

"The atmosphere in the crowd was just incredible! I actually felt goose bumps up and down my arms during the pledge," he said.

"I think this idea also serves to bind Singaporeans from all walks of life, wherever they may be, for that single moment."

First Warrant Officer (1WO) Robin Yeo, chairman of the family engagement programme committee, told cyberpioneer that much thought had gone into the planning of the event.

"We were looking for something that could cater to our specialist cadets as well as their families and we hope that this initiative will garner positive feedback," said 1WO Yeo.

Well, judging by the contented smiles of all the cadets and their family members after the parade was over, it was certainly a bona fide hit with them.