Merdeka Generation to Millennials – The 2019 National Day Parade showcased the two different eras of Police National Service Officers.
This year’s National Day Parade not only marked Singapore’s 54th birthday, but also commemorated the nation’s bicentennial.
Celebrated at the historic Padang on 9 August, NDP 2019 featured the Mobile Column Merdeka Generation segment. It paid tribute to the pioneer batches of the Home Team and Singapore Armed Forces National Servicemen for building and reinforcing National Service in the 1970s.
The occasion was a special opportunity where the pioneer and current batches of Police National Service Officers were able to represent the Singapore Police Force on the same stage.
For Mr William Tan, one of the SPF Merdeka Generation participants, it was a surreal feeling as he felt like he had returned to the 1976 NDP where he represented the SPF in the Guard of Honour marching contingent.
“It has been 43 years since then and yet the feeling is still the same,” he reminisced fondly as he watched the current SPF marching contingent doing their rehearsal for the event.
On the other hand, in the SPF marching contingent, NDP 2019 was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for SC Sai Kireeti Desiraju, who was taking part in the NDP for the first time.
“I was very surprised when I found out I was selected to be part of the SPF marching contingent. This is truly a great honour, and I am very eager to march for my country,” he shared during the rehearsal break.
This feature serves as a testament of how the Police National Service is built by the various generations of PNS Officers!
