CITIZEN soldiers in their 20s to 40s donned their uniforms and pledged their allegiance and duty to the nation in ceremonies held around the island to mark Singapore Armed Forces Day yesterday.

All told, more than 850 national servicemen (NSmen) and their employers took part in the ceremonies, which were led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other Cabinet ministers.

The main event was a parade held at the Safti Military Institute yesterday morning, where more than 3,000 active and national servicemen vowed to safeguard the nation's independence.

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