SINGAPORE — Count one golf course as a casualty of the National Day Parade (NDP) of 1969, after it was used to test the Republic’s very first shipment of AMX-13 tanks, which were to be part of the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) first-ever mobile column at the parade.

Colonel (Ret) Goh Lye Choon, who was among those taking part in the column, recalls how they “didn’t have anything” — a sports complex was used to house and maintain the vehicles, and there was no tank driving circuit to rehearse the drive-past.

The tanks, he added, ruined the golf course.

But what they had was plenty of spirit. “It was the first time you had the feeling that you’re a Singaporean,” said Col (Ret) Goh, a veteran of the Konfrantasi years, of the feeling of being part of the mobile column.

Nearly 50 years later, Col (Ret) Goh is returning to the mobile column. He will lead the first segment of the 177-vehicle column at this year’s parade, which will pay homage to the pioneer generation of the SAF.

For the first time, the mobile column will tell a four-part story, with each segment prefaced with a video based on the theme of “Strength”. The four segments aim to move from Singapore’s history towards the future, with the final segment to feature personnel who are serving, or have served, with their families.

This year’s column will not be making a tour of the heartlands, as organisers want to focus on the Marina Bay area, which will be hosting satellite celebrations, aside from the two ticketed parade grounds at the Padang and the The Float @ Marina Bay.

Major Cai Dexian, 31, the chairman of the mobile column committee, said during a media preview yesterday (June 27): “We wanted to bring the mobile column closer to people, closer to Singaporeans around the bay.”

This year’s route will start from Nicoll Highway and move along St Andrew’s Road to pass the Padang. Then, a section of 28 vehicles will continue on to form the Celebrations Trail, pass the floating platform and progress around the bay.

The Celebration Trail will end at the Esplanade Bridge for the 2015 pledge moment at 8.15pm, where Singaporeans will recite the Pledge and sing the National Anthem.

The Celebration Trail will comprise of “crowd favourites” such as the Leopard 2SG MBT, Bionix II Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carrier, said Maj Cai.

Taking part in the segment showcasing families in the military are Military Expert 3 Sukhdev Singh and his son Captain Kevindev Singh of the Republic of Singapore Navy.

ME3 Sukhdev Singh was thrilled when his son decided to join the navy full-time: “At least I know I have made another soldier who is going to defend Singapore for the next 30 over years.”

The column will include 177 assets and 900 personnel from the SAF, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Among these are 26 new platforms, such as the Armoured Engineer Vehicle (AEV), which will be commanded by Lieutenant Celestia Tan.

A long-time fan of the NDP and the first woman to commandeer an AEV, Lieutenant Tan said: “To be part of the parade is really a childhood dream come true.”