CELEBRATING NDP WITH HEART AND SOUL

This year's National Day Parade (NDP) promises to show plenty of heart(s). For the first time, a military tattoo will kick off the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment. Marching to the tune of classic NDP hits like Home, over 160 participants - comprising a combined band and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS) - will move into different formations such as a big heart that symoblises Singaporeans' caring spirit.

Among the performers are eight drummers from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), who are taking part in the parade for the first time.

"Singaporeans love the military band, they love the SPDS. Coming together, it's a spectacular performance that will give the parade a lot more energy and kick-start the contingents coming in," said P&C Chairman Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Joseph Tan.

There will be 35 contingents with 2,000 participants - the most in NDP history - performing on The Float @ Marina Bay.

Leading the parade this year is Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Wong Pui Pin. As Head of General Staff in Headquarters, Armour, and concurrently Brigade Second-in-Command of 54th Singapore Armoured Brigade, LTC Wong is no stranger to the pressures and responsibilities of holding leadership positions. However, leading the parade has presented new personal challenges for him and his family.

"I need to inspire and lead 2,000 participants over six months of the NDP journey, and make sure that they enjoy the journey," explained the Parade Commander. "(This also means) my wife... has to pick up most of the responsibilities at home, especially on the weekends when I have to participate in the NDP rehearsals."

Another challenge that LTC Wong faces is something Singaporeans can empathise with - having to give up his favourite food (durians and spicy food). But seeing the perseverance of his fellow parade participants as they sweat under the afternoon sun practising, he is more than willing to make personal sacrifices to preserve his voice and inspire them to give their best.

"To be given the opportunity to be part of this uniquely-Singaporean tradition, as the Parade Commander for NDP, has been my greatest privilege," he said.

This year's P&C also features five segments - Call to Service, Tribute to Pioneers, Singapore Songs Sing Along,Faces of Families and Dynamic Defence Display (D3) - called Heartbeats. These moments within the Parade acknowledge the contributions of Singaporeans from all parts of society over the nation's 49 years of independence.

For instance, Tribute to Pioneers will showcase a video and photo montage of Singapore's pioneer generation, who went through many hardships in building the nation.

Commemorating 30 years of Total Defence, this year's D3 will present over 30 different SAF and Home Team equipment. Some of the newest assets on display include the Republic of Singapore Air Force Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby-Short Range (SPYDER-SR) ground-based air defence system, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Unmanned Fire Fighting Machine and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Tactical Response Vehicle.

But it's not just about the equipment. For D3 Chairman LTC Ong Chuan Hian, everyday Singaporeans are a key component of Total Defence as well. 200 participants will be there alongside the equipment on display to show the importance of military security in Total Defence, while other Singaporeans of various occupations, such as nurses, teachers and sportsmen, will be in the spectator gallery with their families on National Day to join in the celebrations.

"Singapore's defence is not just about having the best assets, but also about having committed and capable people - our fellow Singaporeans - that makes the difference," said LTC Wong.

An example of true commitment to NDP is Ms Salbiah Bee binte Jamaludin. With a solid 10 years of participating in the NDP, the 45-year-old said that what spurs her on is the sense of belonging and unity. She will be marching for the NTUC Contingent this year. "This is how I can celebrate the nation's birthday together with my NTUC sisters and brothers, and with the rest of the participants that I get to know along the way."

With so many things to look forward to in the parade, what does SLTC Tan hope Singaporeans can remember from NDP 2014?

"This year's parade is a parade with a heart. We want to recognise Singaporeans from all walks of life, past and present, coming together to celebrate what it means to be Singaporean - the will to defend the country, coming together as one heart beating together. This is a very special moment, a very special day, where we all recognise ourselves as Singaporeans."