As Singapore celebrates her Golden Jubilee, catch the epic spectacle of the NDP - 'Live' from the Padang. 2015 Mediacorp TV Singapore Pte Ltd). All Rights Reserved. __________________________________________________ (SINGAPORE, Straits Times, 9 Aug 2015, Part 2 of 2, continued from previous article) - ...... As the Singapore Girls rolled past, an SIA Airbus 380 soared overhead, decked out in a special livery of red and white. This was the first time that any SIA craft has taken part in the National Day fly-past. The A-380 is the world's largest passenger aircraft. "The parade is phenomenal. It's been very nostalgic especially when the veterans marched past during the vintage parade. The fact that they are still willing to come and March despite their age shows their immense love for Singapore," said polytechnic student S. Surrenthiran, 19. Another first, the Parade featured the largest number of civilian contingents - 16 - in the Parade and Ceremony. There was a total of 37 contingents on parade at the Padang, comprising four Guard of Honour contingents and other uniformed groups. Lieutenant-Colonel Alvin Tjioe's voice boomed across the Padang, moving with precision the more than 2,000 men and women who were part of the parade. He also announced the arrival of President Tony Tan. Crowds burst into rapturous applause and cheers as 20 F-16 fighter jets whizzed past the Padang in a 5-0 formation. Six F-16s then executed a "bomb burst", where they fan out in an aerial salute. After a 21-gun salute from the waters off the Merlion Park, the President Tan inspected the parade, rounded off by the celebratory volleys of a feu de joie - French for "fire of joy". The roar of jet engines entering the City saw spectators crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the second aerial display of the Parade. In total, 50 aircraft of various types took part in one of the largest aerial displays ever at the Parade. In particular, the criss-cross manoeuvre of the Black Knights, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's popular aerobatics team, was a crowd favourite. The soaring finale was performed by a solo F-15SG fighter aircraft making a combat turn over the Padang, showcasing the aircraft's precision and agility. The performance culminates with a dazzling near-vertical climb with afterburners. In another nod to NDP traditions, the Mobile Column made its return this year after five years. A convoy of 179 vehicles rumbled past the Padang in four segments, making the line-up of this year's Mobile Column the most diverse. Twenty-six vehicles made their debut, including a combat ambulance, an armoured engineer vehicle used mainly for clearing mines or demolishing wire obstacles, and a latest version of a battle tank. A 22m-long specialised marine craft, which is used for the defence of bases, was also unveiled for the first time. To pay tribute to the pioneers, a retired colonel Goh Lye Choon, 74, who took part in the first mobile column in 1969, joined others to lead the convoy. He rode alongside the Mobile Column Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Lim Kah Kheng in a Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank. A section of the 2km-long convoy also passed through the Marina Bay area in the impressive show of military hardware. But it was not just the vehicles that featured in the Parade. Nine families who have served in Singapore's security forces made their appearance in the last column. The first fireworks went off as Singapore pop star Stefanie Sun concluded her performance of NDP songs We Will Get there and One United People. More than 800 performers from the Singapore Soka Association created a mass display forming words in Singapore's four official languages - unity, progress, success, and ending with Majulah Singapura - Onward Singapore. Then it was a tribute to all things Singaporean as over 500 performers from the People’s Association put up a lively dance number around a dozen brightly-lit floats that included an ice kachang, a durian, the Changi Airport control tower and national mascots over the years like Singa the courtesy lion. Even Singlish phrases, the use of which the Government once tried to discourage, made an appearance. The crowd sang along with wild enthusiasm as familiar favourites from Singapore Town to Munneru Valiba were performed. The PA performers ended with a display of a tree that represented our diverse roots to Corrine May's Song For Singapore from the 2010 NDP. Then, 600 primary school pupils dressed up as stickmen in costumes that resemble space outfits. Their costumes were lit with neon LED colours, which changed from red to blue to green with a touch of a button. You can read the rest of the article at the url listed below: Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singaporeans-celebrate-50th-national-day-with-nostalgic-and-touching-parade-at-the-padang __________________________________________________

• published: 10 Aug 2015
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