PRESIDENT HOSTS ISTANA RECEPTION FOR MINDEF AND SAF PERSONNEL
PHOTO // Timothy Sim
More than 700 personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and DSO National Laboratories (DSO) were hosted by President S R Nathan to an annual garden reception at the Istana on 11 Jul.
The reception, which was held in recognition of their valuable contributions towards the defence of Singapore, saw President Nathan interacting with senior MINDEF, SAF and DSTA personnel, active servicemen and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) as they shared with him their contributions to Singapore's peace and security.
Among those at the garden reception were recipients of the SAF NSman of the Year award, as well as the inaugural Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) of the Year award.
The NSF of the Year award, proposed by the Fifth Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD V) in August 2009, aims to recognise NSFs who have made outstanding contributions during their National Service (NS).
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Benjamin Song, a Fire Direction Officer from 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery and a recipient of the NSF of the Year award, said, "Motivation and discipline are two key factors that spur me on to do my best during my two years of National Service. Being in the Army has given me a healthy environment to test my limits and see how much I can achieve."
Echoing 2LT Song's views about the importance of NS was Major (MAJ)(NS) Ridzuan Bin Ismail, Commanding Officer, 688th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment.
"Singapore's defence cannot be taken for granted and everyone of us has an important part to play. Similarly, as NSmen, we each have a crucial responsibility to protect our country," said MAJ(NS) Ridzuan, a recipient of the NSman of the Year award.
A total of 15 NSman of the Year and 70 NSF of the Year awards were given out this year. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen were also present at the reception.
