“At the NDP Visioning Retreat, every one of us who was a member of this year's NDP EXCO was supposed to have a little train and write something, a word that described what NDP means to ourselves, individually. I wrote 'inspiring', because I think that the National Day Parade, especially Parade & Ceremony, is for us to inspire our people, and I myself am always inspired whenever I watch the NDP.”

'Inspiring' is the word for COL Loh Kean Wah, Chairman Parade & Ceremony (P&C) Committee for NDP 2008. COL Loh feels that “NDP is a journey that is inspiring”, and “it is seeing the people, putting in their effort in a kind of unconditional way, sacrificing their time under the hot sun with no complains, yet maintaining a very high state of morale” that really motivates him.

What then, is special about the P&C segment of NDP 2008 as compared to previous years? “I think the most special part of it is that we have incorporated a parade that is no longer flat and two-dimensional.” COL Loh says. “This year, you find that we have the parade at the Marina Bay Multi-Purpose Facility, where the Floating Platform forms one layer and the Promenade forms the first tier, very close to where the spectators will be. We are also moving the civilian contingents, which includes the economic and social segments, along with the students representing the various uniform groups up on the second tier of the constructed platform above the Floating Platform. So with that, I would really like to call this parade a three-dimensional parade.”

The new areas of the P&C segment are not limited to the infrastructure though. “For many previous NDPs, we have had the idea that it is the parade both for the people and by the people, and that has been the tagline carried by previous P&C chairmen. It will continue to be so. However, I would like to add a new twist for this year: it is a parade that represents the Spirit of Singapore, for everyone comes with a certain aspect of what we identify as the Singapore Spirit.” COL Loh says with a smile, touching on the concept behind the P&C segment.

Most distinct though, is how close the Guard-of-Honour is to the Promenade. COL Loh, emphasising this fact, says “it is almost 16m away from where the front row will sit. Last year the distance was at least twice, if not three times the distance.” Another change was made after much discussion. “Chairman Show Committee and myself discussed, along with inputs from Chairman EXCO how we could bring a different visual aspect of NDP 2008 to both the spectators and the audience back home. We wanted to create a three dimensional effect. So we took a bold step, breaking tradition, and this year, for the first time, you will find that the contingents are on an elevated tier.

With all that is fresh and new, how will the P&C segment for NDP 2008 connect with the theme, “Celebrating the Singapore Spirit”? COL Loh views this relation as the reflecting of certain parts of the Singapore Spirit. “We would like to anchor the spirit of unity and discipline, unity via everyone coming together and discipline via the very well-disciplined people that we have and whom we hone from the very basic drills upwards.” Perseverance features too. “I can see all the participants perspiring under the sun, yet having high morale and refining the movements without repeating the mistakes. It is truly heartening to see people of all ages sweating it out, smiling all the way.” “Indeed,” in the words of COL Loh, “each one of them comes with a story.”

COL Loh has also compared himself to a chef. “If I were to quote Chief Guards Officer (COL Tung Yui Fai), he is the Chief Chef, creating splendid cuisine for Singaporeans to taste. As P&C Chairman, I am his assistant chef who ensures that the body of the formal part of the dish (the P&C segment) will remain favourites that Singaporeans like, that anchor the whole feeling of NDP – the pomp, the ceremonial segment, the formal segment for the President's inspection. It is dignified and we really hope it to be engaging.” Master chefs at that, he might add.

If there is a message that the P&C segment aims to bring across though, it is that “the parade is formed by ordinary Singaporeans, who come together in one heart, in one spirit.” COL Loh adds, “together we will spread the message that we will be there for our country, to defend it, and that is the spirit of total defence.” “Perhaps anchoring that is the new message that Singapore will soar, and we hope that through the formal part of the Parade & Ceremony segment, we will have the confidence and the aspiration, along with the knowledge that we will bring Singapore, still a young nation of 43 years, to greater heights.”

There is little doubt that NDP 2008 is a journey, from as far back as the Visioning Session in August last year to the 9th of August this year. And as with all journeys, the destination will be one worth looking forward to. Seeing the NDP itself come August, we will have much to thank COL Loh and his dedicated team for – from the disciplined march of the Marching Contingent to the awe-inspiring Guard-of-Honour contingents. In them, we truly see the Singapore Spirit at work.