The parade commander stands with rows of soldiers, still in the parade square. The formation is tight. The spaces are precisely laid out and the lines are neat. The soldier in the row holds his rifle tight, stares straight ahead into distance. He does not move. Sometimes he sways from left to right, shifting his body weight from one leg to the other to get his blood circulating. But he keeps still, because his friends next to him is standing still and he must not let them down.

Many generations of soldiers, sailors and airmen have stood proudly on the parade square, at attention on parade. The BMT pass out parade, the CO parade, the change of command parade, the inauguration parade, and the National Day Parade. They look straight ahead, with their steely eyes, back straight with pride. They fight against the heat, the sweat and the weariness in their feet, determined to put on a good show. Worst is the parade in mid-morning. The sky is clear of clouds, and the sun comes straight down.

We are proud to stand in parade. It is a performance. The repetition, the discipline to be in sync with your platoon mates. Listening intently to the commander giving the orders. When the show is over, there is a sense of satisfaction. A satisfaction that you have put on a good show. One that do the unit and the people in the unit proud.

The parade honors the men serving in unit, the ones before them, and the one coming after them. A band of brother standing still in unison, proud of the heritage they bear, and the hills that they had climbed together.

When a group of people stand still, they are standing for something. They are standing for the professionalism, commitment and fighting spirit that the group stands for. They are standing for their platoon mates, for each other.

Every year, we do a National Day Parade in Singapore. There are soldiers, sailors, airmen, policemen, civil defence, civilians from all walks of life, standing together. The old, the young, men, women, Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races. It is an incredible symbol of unity, pride and strength.

So, I ask myself. What is a parade? A parade is when a group of soldiers stand. Together against all odds, all differences and all challenges.