NDP - Duty to Nation

I have just handed over duty after a 12 hour, weekend DO shift. On another day, I would be getting ready to go back to home sweet home. Not today. I am going to continue to work till almost this midnight. Its National Day and I am on standby at the F1 Paddock Carpark. And if that's sad, I will be on standby again tomorrow at Istana for the National Day Reception. *Sigh* Boh pian...Hobson's choice. Well, I should be getting used to this, shouldn't I?

Since the NDP in 1997, I have been involved in many NDPs...er I can't even remember exactly how many. The most memorable has to be the 1st one -

when I was in the RSN Guard-of-Honour contingent. Months of months of training, everyday waking up at 5am in the morning to draw arms, all to ensure the clockwork like drills in the 4 main parades that year. The NDP being the last one, was also the easiest one (shortest time, least amount of drills). It also filled us with the most pride, with TV coverage, 55000 live crowd watching in the stadium. Without being biased, the Navy No.1 is by far the smartest - White peak cap, white uniform, white boots. And the attention of the crowd and bystanders during training and rehearsals never failed to vindicate this.

Anyway, my role in NDPs nowadays is very different. For starters, there is none of the glamour that I basked in as a Guard of Honour. Instead of the all whites of the No.1, I am donned in the hue of navy blue. And instead of being part of the performance, I am in the back seat, on standby for any contigencies (touch wood). Regardless, despite the small complaints, deep down, it still fills me with pride to be able to contribute in the biggest National celebration event of the year :)