FOR DUTY, HONOUR AND COUNTRY

You might have noticed more people wearing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) uniform on your way to work on 1 Jul. You might also have wondered why there were so many promotions in shops and eateries for National Servicemen.

It is SAF Day.

"Each year on SAF Day, we remind ourselves that it falls on the SAF to protect Singapore's sovereignty and our way of life," said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to 315 NSmen at the SAF Day Rededication Ceremony for the North and North East zones held at the ITE College Central on 1 Jul.

Delivering the SAF Day message, Dr Ng said that he was thankful for the strong support from Singaporeans for a strong defence force. He noted that the community and businesses had stepped forward to recognise the sacrifices of NSmen.

"These acts spur us to perform our duties to our best. But our motivation to defend Singapore comes from within - for duty, honour and country," said Dr Ng.

Leading in the reciting of the SAF Pledge at the rededication ceremony was Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Chang Jie Rui, a Procurement Executive with AMOS International (S) Pte Ltd. "As citizen soldiers, it's our duty to serve and go back for training," said the 26-year-old who serves as a logistics officer with the 486th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment.

"At the same time, it's important (for the SAF) to listen to the people and gather feedback. So it's good that the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) efforts have heard public opinions," said LTA (NS) Chang.

One employer-employee pair at the ceremony was Mr Michael Luke and Corporal (CPL) (NS) Henry Ong. Both men are from Radius Singapore, a firm specialising in experiential marketing through events and exhibitions.

Said Mr Luke, Corporate Advisor and Chief Investment Officer at Radius Singapore: "Defence of a nation is the most important aspect of any country. It's a basic necessity."

"We are a small nation... and NS safeguards our country." He, too, welcomed the measures introduced by the CSNS. Commenting on the easing of travel restrictions (from today, NSmen no longer have to notify their units of overseas travel of less than 14 days), he said: "It's excellent; the civilian lives of servicemen will be more productive. At the same time, they are still operationally ready soldiers."

For Senior Account Executive, CPL (NS) Ong, Radius Singapore's NS-friendly policies enable him to go for his yearly in-camp training without worry. "We have a buddy system - so a colleague covers for me when I am away for NS."

"It's my duty as an NSman to keep up with the training. It's like going to work every day - just that I'm reporting to an Army camp."

"We just can't take peace and prosperity for granted. I believe that I should play a part to keep my nation safe and ensure that this peace will go on," said CPL (NS) Ong, who serves in a Signals unit.

All across the island, some 700 NSmen recited the SAF Pledge at four rededication ceremonies in the North/Northeast, Central Business District/South, East and West zones.

The West zone ceremony at the SAFRA Jurong clubhouse was officiated by Second Minster for Defence Chan Chun Sing.