Singapore 2020, a year so totally unlike others. Celebrating the National Day Parade in these Covid-19 times has stirred some misgiving but we must remember that the NDP is close to the hearts of many Singaporeans. Singapore NDP 2009 was also held amid very challenging times when our nation was in our deepest recession since independence and the local spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus was worrisome. Similarly, there were calls for the parade to be postponed, scaled down or even cancelled. This year COVID-19 presented our greatest challenge ever. it has impacted our lives, livelihoods and brought the entire country to almost a standstill. No matter how dark the times, we should not cancel the NDP, doing so would be like akin to surrendering to the virus. We must unite and persevere. We will prevail.