NSmen and Employers Reaffirm Commitment to Defence

01 Jul 2016

Minister for Defence Dr (third from left) joined the NSmen, employers and senior SAF commanders in reaffirming their commitment to the defence of as they recited the SAF Pledge in the first of four rededication ceremonies, which was held at Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commer..

Earlier today, more than 680 NSmen from 303 companies and their employers gathered for the SAF Day combined rededication ceremonies held at four locations around Singapore to reaffirm their commitment to the defence of Singapore.

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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the rededication ceremony held at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he delivered the SAF Day message to remind of the importance of a strong and capable SAF to protect the nation's sovereignty and our way of life. He said "On this SAF day, the men and women of the SAF reaffirm their individual pledge to perform their duty to the best of their ability and to faithfully and diligently protect Singapore with their lives. I ask all Singaporeans in turn to support the SAF, with their hearts, encouragement and solidarity. What we inherited from our founding generation - our home, our Singapore - is precious and our way of life worth defending together."

Pledge leader for the ceremony, CPT(NS) Benjamin Ow who led the 190 NSmen in the recitation of the SAF pledge, said that the ceremony was an opportune time for NSmen to reflect on their roles in the defence of Singapore. In his reflection, he recounted his NS, how it had changed his life and shared about his experiences during Operation Flying Eagle, the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operation undertaken by the SAF for the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, saying that "NS definitely changed my life." He added that his "close circle of friends was made in NS and we still meet up regularly, even if some of us are no longer in active service… it was a big part of my life and will continue to stick to me as the time will eventually come for my 3 little boys to do their part. It was a privilege to contribute my part to NS."

Minister for Health, Mr , Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Ms , and Minister for National Development Mr officiated at the other three rededication ceremonies held at SAFRA Punggol, Singapore Institute of Technology and Biopolis respectively.

In addition, about 250 retailers and merchants showed their support and recognition for our National Servicemen by offering discounts and benefits this year.

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Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong (fourth from left) reciting the SAF Pledge with NSmen, employers and senior SAF commanders at the SAFRA Punggol.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Ms Grace Fu (second from left) reciting the SAF Pledge with NSmen, employers and senior SAF commanders at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

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Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong (fifth from right) reciting the SAF Pledge with NSmen, employers and senior SAF commanders at Matrix@Biopolis.

Speech:

- SAF Day 2016 Message (MINDEF_20160701002.pdf)

Fact Sheet:

- Fact Sheet: SAF Day 2016 Combined Rededication Ceremonies (MINDEF_20160701003.pdf)

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