National Day Parade in 1971

Back in 1971 when I was still in Secondary 2 some 51 years ago, I was in the Red Cross contingent for the National Day Parade. Not everyone had the honour to participate in a National Day Parade. In Gan Eng Seng School, the Red Cross Society had a reputation for precision marching.

The National Day Parade was held at the Padang. We marched passed the City Hall steps and then moved on to a route where people gathered along the route to see us really closed up.

I remember that we had to stay quite still in the Padang for the proceedings to start. Our fear then was fainting while waiting. Good thing I did not faint. At 14 years old, it was an achievement to participate in this important event of the nation. I did not think too much about it back then except that I was relieved that it was over. There were too many practices and rehearsals.

This special event was mentioned in my Secondary School Leaving Certificate. Now, I see that National Day Parade was such a big thing. I watched each NDP on television without fail. Getting a ticket for the parade on the actual day is a draw of the luck.