I participated in the National Day Parade as an NSF in 2007. Anyone who has taken part in one definitely has their share of stories, one way or another. However, what is the same is the beaming pride whenever one narrates it. I am no different. I never understood the sheer scale of the event until that year. Let's just say the stores and props don't get packed up and stored all on their own. It is usually late by the time we were done for the day. I would be kidding you I said that there wasn't that one occasional grumble of yet another delayed book-out. However, such off-the-cuff remarks did little to hamper our spirits in general. It wasn't spoken, but perhaps deep inside all of us, we knew we had to do what we had to do. Besides, the lead up to the final day has it's own way of lifting all the weariness that comes with the monotony of routine. We are in a different place, and at a different time, but what we did was no different from what our fathers had done. The realization that the time has come for you to be a part of whatever you have seen on the TV since you were young, well, was pretty mind-blowing for me to say the least. August 9 2007 - After months of preparations, this was it. There was no room for screw ups - we were in for a show the entire nation has set their eyes upon. Singaporeans from all races and walks of life came together, hearts beating as one. Ours too, except that it's many times faster. Make no mistake, it was time to paint Marina Bay red. Everything went on smoothly and according to plan without a hitch. The rehearsals paid off. However, what i remembered most fondly was when the show was brought to it's climax with the fireworks display. My buddies and myself were in the holding area backstage to witness it for the last time. To us, that display seemed as if it was a recognition for all our efforts. Bittersweet emotions filled the air - relief, joy and pride all rolled up into one, for a job well done. That moment in time was.. nothing short of amazing. I was sure there was a glow on everyone's face, and I can tell you it didn't come from the stage lights. I never looked at National Day Parades the same way after that. One learns to appreciate the inner workings of such a large-scale event a bit more; they don't simply fall into clockwork precision. You might also think that after going through the countless rehearsals, one might stay away from such events for a while. Not for my case. I found myself more interested in the Parades than I could ever remember. This year won't be any different, I'm sure.