A Family Affair – How NDP 2025 Brings Generations Together in Celebration and Service
Every year, the National Day Parade (NDP) brings together Singaporeans from all walks of life, including families who take pride in serving, performing, and celebrating together.
Whether in uniform, on stage, or taking mirror selfies before heading together for NDP rehearsals, these multigenerational participants represent the spirit of unity and dedication that characterises the nation – living proof that NDP 2025 is not just a celebration of the nation’s past and future, it’s a shared memory in the making, passed from one generation to the next.
This SG60, their stories continue to remind us how a shared love for serving Singapore can strengthen bonds and create meaningful moments within families.
DSP Stella and her children, Shermaine Goh and Edward Goh, appear in a Mobile Column featurette in NDP 2025's "Generation to Generation" segment. | IMAGE: WONDERWALL.SG
In the featurette, DSP Stella credits her family's support for helping her manage motherhood and her career. | IMAGE: WONDERWALL.SG
From command post to home front: A mother’s duty, a family’s pride
Since joining the Singapore Police Force in 2010, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay has spent her National Day duties behind the scenes; this time, she’ll be managing the safety and security around Singapore’s MRT network amid the road closures and crowds.
While DSP Stella oversees operations from the event command post, her husband, also a police officer, plays an equally vital role at home. “My husband is a police officer as well, so he understands the job demands and he support me whenever I can.”
“Usually I’ll be deployed during NDP,” she adds. “When my husband is not deployed, he orders pizza, and he and the kids have a pizza party. They watch the parade together, and he’ll send me photos and videos of what they’re eating.”
This year’s NDP is extra meaningful, however, as DSP Stella will be featured alongside her husband and their two children in a video segment showcasing Singapore’s generational commitment to defence.
The featurette, which plays during the Mobile Column’s “From Generation to Generation” segment, depicts stories of past and present SAF and Home Team personnel across generations, and the way they’ve inspired future defenders of Singapore to take up the mantle.
“I’m very proud and honoured to be here with my family, involved in this event,” she says. “As a working mother it’s not easy to manage policing work as well as family life. So, planning and setting your priorities are important.”
Her children have grown up with an understanding of their mother's commitment. “They wake up early with me!” she says. “It’s not easy for them but they are here to support me. They understand my duties and responsibilities.”
Beyond the logistics, DSP Stella hopes this shared experience leaves a lasting impression. “I hope that they remember that this is a very valuable chance – that they are privileged to be able to stand here to celebrate SG60 in front of the camera, sharing [the experience] with all of Singapore.”
The NDP 2025 Mobile Column will be led by Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Alex Chan Kwok Hoh (right). LTC (NS) Chan will be accompanied by his son, Chan Jinghoi (left), in the final segment of the Mobile Column, themed “From Generation to Generation”. | IMAGE: NDP 2025 EXCO
LTC (NS) Alex and his son roll into the Padang together during the final segment of the Mobile Column. | IMAGE: WONDERWALL.SG
Like father, like son: how this Mobile Column Commander leads with his son by his side
NDP 2025 holds special meaning for Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Alex Chan. For the first time, he is not only stepping into a frontline role, but doing so alongside his 10-year-old son, Jinghoi. As the Mobile Column Commander, LTC (NS) Alex will be leading the charge atop a Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank, and will be joined by his son in the Mobile Column’s final segment, “From Generation to Generation”.
“I feel very honoured and happy to be able to celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday. And SAF's 60th as well,” says LTC (NS) Alex. “From this experience, I hope my son can understand and experience what it's like for Daddy to be a soldier, and he can head in this direction as well when he grows up, to contribute back to the nation like his dad does.”
Jinghoi, a Primary 4 student at St. Anthony’s Primary School, beams with pride at the chance to be part of something so significant. Rehearsals have been demanding, but the journey has been filled with meaningful father-son moments that neither will forget. “The most fun part is when I'm taking photos where I can do poses,” says Jinghoi. “What was most memorable was when I was able to do the things my father taught me.”
For LTC (NS) Alex, who often spends weeks away on overseas exercises, NDP has become a rare opportunity to share the meaning of service with his son first-hand.
“I always share with him the significance and responsibilities of a soldier for NDP,” he says. “And as a father, what we have to give as part of our responsibilities. Through this experience, he has come to better understand the sacrifices and duties of a soldier.”
SGT3 Khairul (left) and his brother, WO2 Muhammad Khairi Bin Khairudin (centre) followed the footsteps of their father, SWO1 Khairudin Bin Mohamed Ali (right), who has served in the SCDF for 40 years. | IMAGE: SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE
In addition to appearing in the featurette with SGT3 Khairul, WO2 Muhammad Khairi (right) and SWO1 Khairudin (centre) ride in with him during the final segment of the Mobile Column | IMAGE: WONDERWALL.SG
From the fire station to the screen: one SCDF family’s legacy shines at NDP
For Sergeant 3 (SGT3) Khairul Azhar Bin Khairudin, serving in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is more than just a career. It’s a family tradition. This year’s National Day Parade holds a special place in his heart, because for the first time, he will appear in an NDP segment with both his father and his brother, marking a proud chapter for a family rooted in service.
When SGT3 Khairul got the call inviting his family to participate in this year’s generation-themed featurette, he immediately reached out to both father and brother, and they said “yes” without hesitation.
“I’m excited to be with both my dad and my brother in this NDP,” SGT3 Khairul says. This is a once in a lifetime experience.”
His father (an instructor at the SCDF’s Civil Defence Academy with 40 years under his belt) and his brother (an EMT Station Commander at Ang Mo Kio Fire Station) have long been his role models. “I remember, due to my dad’s work commitment, he’d work 24-hour and 40-hour shifts, with 48 hours of rest,” says SGT3 Khairul. “I was curious about his job scope. Occasionally, he would bring me to SCDF Family Day or on station visits. With that, I became more attracted to the organisation.”
It’s a shared bond that runs deep. “They just told me to train hard,” SGT3 Khairul says, recalling their responses when he decided to join the SCDF. “And to just enjoy the training!”
Reflecting on their influence, he says: “It motivated me to be better than them or to be like them!”
(From Left to Right) People’s Association’s performers Jennifer Yap, Jerlyncia Yap, Jerbelle Ng, a three-generation family performing in NDP 2025 Act Three. | IMAGE: NDP EXCO 2025
A grandmother, a mother, and a daughter dance for Singapore
From living room rehearsals to the Padang, the Yap family’s NDP journey is a story of love, legacy and a whole lot of rhythm. Jerbelle Ng, Jerlyncia Yap, and Jennifer Yap – aged 11, 33 and 53, respectively – are performers who will appear in People’s Association’s Act Three dance item during the Show segment of NDP 2025.
While it’s not the first time that Jennifer and daughter Jerlyncia have performed at NDP, granddaughter Jerbelle grew up joining their dance routines even before she was old enough to participate in the event.
“When we learnt our dance steps at home, even though she was not going to perform, she would dance together with us,” say Jennifer and Jerlyncia.
“I’m happy because it’s Jerbelle’s first time. Finally, she's at the age where she's able to join the family,” says Jerlyncia.
“My son was the one who brought me in [as a performer at NDP],” recalls Jennifer. “Then my daughter, then my granddaughter.”
And while their practices happen once or twice a week, the spirit they share is constant. “All of us enjoy cheering for each other and helping one another if we forget a step,” Jennifer says. “We’ll gather together, and take the parts and pieces from each other’s memories and join them together, then practice together as a family.”
Their hope? “Different generations coming together and performing as one community!”
Siblings Oliver, Christabelle, and Annabeth Lee take a group selfie in the lift before every NDP rehearsal. | IMAGE: LEE FAMILY
The Lee siblings are marching in the Girls' Brigade and the Scouts. | IMAGE: WONDERWALL.SG
Marching tips from Big Sis: The Lee Siblings report for NDP 2025
For the Lee siblings – Christabelle, Oliver, and Annabeth – NDP 2025 isn’t just a national celebration, it’s personal. All three are marching in their own contingents: Christabelle and Annabeth from the Girls’ Brigade, and Oliver from the Scouts.
“It’s really fun,” says Christabelle, the 19-year-old and eldest among the siblings. “I’m happy that I get to tell people we’re all involved in SG60 together.” Meanwhile, 14-year-old Annabeth adds that it’s brought them closer as a family. “We can relate to each other’s complaints – about the weather, about training – and we bond over that a lot.” Oliver, the 15-year-old middle child, agrees, calling it “very fun”, especially when they get a good laugh out of shared struggles.
Annabeth was the first to find out she had made it into the contingent. “She was overjoyed,” recalls Christabelle, who volunteered to return as a staff assistant after marching last year. Oliver joined soon after. Though they train separately, “they don’t allow different uniformed groups to mix”, says Oliver. They still catch glimpses of one another during rehearsals and never leave home without their trademark mirror selfie in the lift.
Despite being the youngest, Annabeth feels the weight of expectations. “My sister was the Contingent Commander [of Girls' Brigade] in 2023, so there’s a high standard I want to live up to,” she says. But Christabelle focuses more on support than pressure, encouraging her siblings to press on through fatigue and long hours. Oliver suspects there’s “a little friendly rivalry” over who gets to march in the front row, “though no one says it out loud”.
The girls admit they often look out for their younger brother. “I’ll check in on him the night before,” says Annabeth. “Ask if he has his gloves, make sure he’s packed everything.” Christabelle agrees, often reminding him to prep his uniform and bring water. But Oliver insists, “We usually take care of each other, no one in particular.”
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