SINGAPORE - All national servicemen - past and present - will be eligible for a free commemorative NS50 PAssion card long with a five-membership, to mark 50 years of national service, said the People's Association (PA) on Sunday (April 9).

National servicemen will receive application instructions for the complimentary card - which can be used at community clubs, Water Venture outlets and PAssion card merchants - in their NS50 recognition packages of $100 in vouchers this year.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung gave out the first batches of the recognition packages at separate appreciation ceremonies on Sunday.

Speaking at a ceremony at Safra Toa Payoh, Dr Ng said: "Fifty years on, fathers today hand over a Singapore which has come a long way from Third World to First.

"This progress and prosperity can only be possible if we are secure and able to chart our own future."

The NS50 PAssion card is given out to help national servicemen pick up new skills, bond over interests and foster more lasting friendships at various community programmes, said the PA.

Those with an existing PAssion card can still apply, and use their cards concurrently.

Over the next two months, PA will be organising 52 ground-up ceremonies across the island, to recognise the generations of national servicemen who have kept Singapore safe.

Servicemen, including pairs of fathers and sons, will receive their packages at this series of appreciation ceremonies.

Those who attend the ceremonies will receive their packages by hand while the rest will receive their packages by mail in phases.