MINDEF AND SAF CELEBRATE S'PORE'S 44TH BIRTHDAY

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean led personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on 7 Aug in a National Day Observance Ceremony to mark the nation's 44th birthday at the MINDEF Building.

Artistes from the SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC) performed a series of song and dance items which celebrated our diversity and achievements spanning 44 years of Independence. They also led the audience in a medley of popular national songs, including the new MDC theme song In Our Company, written to add to the cannon of local compositions. In a rousing finale, children from the SAF Child Development Centre (CDC) joined the MDC performers in singing Reach For The Stars and this year's NDP theme song, What Do You See.

The ceremony ended with the participants reciting the National Pledge and singing the National Anthem.

Also present at the event were Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chiang Chie Foo, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Dr Tan Kim Siew, the Service chiefs, and other senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF.

All SAF units held observance ceremonies in the morning to commemorate National Day 2009.