One of a Kind (2nd Edition)

A NEW BEGINNING

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FIFTEEN

the Hindu priest went on to give an English translation. In arranging for the invocations, the

religious leaders had been requested to keep within strict time limits.

The ceremony was conducted in the reception room still traditionally used for the accreditation

of Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Singapore, or the formal reception by the

President of visiting dignitaries. Seating for all the guests and the new officers had been

arranged on either side of a central aisle in the relatively narrow room. At the head of

the room was a low stage on which the presentation would be made, with seats for senior

government officials. The new officers were to sit together in the order in which they would

be called. A briefing had been given. They would stand up in rows, approach the President

one-by-one as each was called, mount the stage, salute, step up, collect the certificate tied with

a ribbon to the sword, step back, salute again and return directly to their seats. Their personal

guests would witness the ceremony from their own sections of the seating arrangements.

By 1845 hrs, all guests had been ushered into the reception room. Dr. Goh arrived at 1855

hrs and a few minutes later, Mr. Lee, everybody rising to receive them in turn. At 1900

hrs, the President was escorted in by his two ADCs, MAJ Winston Choo and, Lieutenant

Commander Brignandan (Brig) Singh Soin of the Volunteer Navy. Everyone stood and

when the President faced the room from the stage, the National Anthem was played by the

SIR Band, which would also provide music during the dinner, in addition to a choir. The

President’s address was brief but pithy. He pronounced the day as historic as it was the day

that he, on behalf of the people of Singapore, conferred on 117 young men, commissions

in the Republic’s Army. President Ishak referred to the live-firing exercise conducted on 11

July as the ‘baptism of fire’ which qualified them to shoulder their heavy tasks as officers.

He expected them to inculcate in National Servicemen the same high standards of training

and discipline they had received. He announced the promulgation of a Code of Conduct

that they would be held to and reminded them that each would, if required, be expected

to make the supreme sacrifice for his country and his fellowmen. He concluded by saying

that the sword they were about to receive was a symbol of the trust placed on them and

they were to live by the ideals for which it was given. The religious leaders then individually

proceeded with their invocations, led by the Buddhist priest. Though the contents were

not clear to the uninitiated, the English version of the Hindu invocation and that of the

Christian priest suggested that they were all similarly praying that the new officers would

receive the protection of the Almighty in the performance of their duties and appealed to

Him to endow them with courage and fortitude in combat. No one could help noticing that

the Sikh invocation seemed to end in a loud war cry.

Led by 2LT Kwan Yue Yeong, 114 newly commissioned officers, including the injured Martin

Choo were individually called up to receive their commissions and ceremonial swords, while

the three sent overseas were called in absentia.