A QUARTERDECK PARTY FOR THE RSN'S 43RD BIRTHDAY

Performances by Singapore Idol Season 3 winner Sezairi Sezali and hosted by celebrity twins May and Choy, cheerleading performances by the SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC), dancing by the guests through the night - sounds like a hip party in town?

In reality, all these performances and festivities were part of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Navy Day 2010 - Quarterdeck Party in celebration of the RSN's 43rd anniversary. The first of its kind, the celebratory event was held at the wharf of Changi Naval Base on 5 May.

The name "Quarterdeck Party" is in reference to past naval traditions where ship crews used to gather and socialise on the ship's quarterdeck.

Officiated by Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral (RADM) Chew Men Leong, the party was a concert extravaganza, held as part of the Navy Day celebration with the theme "Go Navy", reflecting the drive and energy of the Navy as they embrace the new HR paradigm as part of their 3rd Generation transformation journey.

"Our Navy is where it is today because of the men and women who chose to give the best years of their lives to serving the Navy and the nation. It is our job to remember the distinguished accomplishments that our Navy has brought to the SAF and Singapore, to remember those who have served and continue to serve," said RADM Chew in his opening address.

The celebratory party kicked off after the sunset ceremony - the oldest and most significant of naval ceremonies, where two flags were lowered from the two ends of the ship. Entertaining acts for the evening included formation performances by all five formations of the Navy, vocal ensemble and beatbox, all based on a repertoire of Top 40 music.

Previous Navy Day celebrations were just closed-door affairs and reserved mainly for award presentations and parades that take place during the day. However, this year's celebration, which was held in the evening, included immediate family members of Navy personnel and performances by local artistes such as Sezairi and former MTV Asia VJs May and Choy.

Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Douglas Goh, who headed the organising committee of the party, said that he wanted Navy Day 2010 to reflect the camaraderie and draw out the spirit of the Navy. This spirit was further enforced by its colour coding theme for the night with everyone decked out in white or blue-based tops.

"The concept is to gather the people and for them to come together as one Navy, especially during the finale," said the Commanding Officer of frigate RSS Formidable, who added that it was the first time that family members of servicemen were invited to join in the celebrations.

"This is in recognition of immediate family members in our Navy walk," he told cyberpioneer.

The finale, as mentioned, was a mass dance by everyone dancing to the tune of the remix version of the Navy Song.

Indeed, RSN's 43rd anniversary was more than just Navy Day, it celebrated family ties and marked a day where everyone came together as one big Navy family.

Staff Officer Major Loh Heng Sin and his family is one such example. He was there with his wife, Ms E-Lynn Chew, and their 5-month-old son.

"The Navy family does not just involve the people who wear the uniform," he said.

Ms Chew, 34, felt that the celebration was very different and refreshing, especially to see the "spirit among the guys".

"The sunset ceremony was an eye-opener and it is not every day that you can go to a naval base. You also get to see the beautiful sun setting," she said.

About 3,000 people were present at the Quarterdeck Party this year, almost three times more as compared to the attendance of past celebrations.

"Our strong Navy family spirit has put us in very good stead going forward. We will journey together and continue to be a Navy that is professional and dependable. A Navy that we value and that Singapore can be proud of," concluded RADM Chew.