THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL NDP 2014!

In the months leading up to the National Day Parade (NDP), participants braved the scorching sun every weekend rehearsing to make the celebrations a resounding success. For others, support came in the form of sponsorships.

In appreciation of their efforts and sacrifices, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted a dinner for 327 participating organisations and sponsors on 25 Aug.

Said Dr Ng: "This year's NDP succeeded because it connected with Singaporeans emotionally. Singaporeans re-lived our past watching the show, felt more alive today, and found renewed hope for tomorrow.

"I want to thank each of you for the hard work and sacrifice and sponsorships (Many have) told me that their personal reward is in knowing that they had a part in touching the hearts of many Singaporeans and giving Singapore a wonderful 49th birthday present."

Chairman of NDP 2014 Executive Committee Colonel (COL) Wong Yu Han could not agree more. Explaining that he felt very privileged to work with the passionate and dedicated participants, COL Wong said: "(Even at) the first combined rehearsal, it all came together so well that people were already anticipating that it would be a great parade this year."

"And indeed it was. We managed to reach out to and connect with a lot of people, young and old alike."

This year's National Day theme - Our People, Our Home - celebrated the can-do attitude and caring spirit that holds Singaporeans together, as well as the resilience and dedication of its pioneer generation.

The parade also marked several firsts: Thousands witnessed the first female Red Lion, 3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) Shirley Ng, in her debut NDP jump. Eight participants from MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), who were taking part in the parade for the first time, drummed up a resounding performance in the military tattoo and marched in the marching contingent.

Other NDP firsts included the largest non-military marching contingent that comprised over 2,000 participants, and the Junior Red Lions initiative, in which 18 Primary 4 and 5 students were invited to train with the Red Lions for a day, soar with them in iFly Singapore (an indoor skydiving simulator), and greet the crowds together with them at the parade.

With over 40,000 photos and videos of NDP posted on Instagram, it was clear that this year's celebrations had hit all the right notes for Singaporeans.

Happy that Singaporeans had appreciated their efforts, COL Wong noted that it had been a memorable NDP journey: "Tonight's event is important to me as well to all of us who have worked on NDP. It's the end (of our NDP journey) where we sit together and enjoy being with each other before...(leaving) with just the memory of a very good parade."