OVERSEAS Singaporeans chimed in with the Pledge from across the miles at 8.22pm Singapore time yesterday.

Thousands in at least eight countries from Australia to the United States stayed up late or woke up early to say the words and be one in spirit with those at home.

For instance, in Xiamen, China, about 150 Singaporeans turned up for a dinner and a live screening of the National Day Parade.

In Laos, about 40 people, including 25 Singaporeans, gathered to watch the parade on TV and say the Pledge at the appointed time.

Halfway around the world, fund analyst Adrian Zhou, 26, shook himself awake in the nick of time to recommit to the set of national goals at 8.22am Connecticut time.

He said: 'All my friends who are overseas are trying to say it at the same time, so it's like being with family and friends.'

Miss Corrie Tan, who is studying at Brown University in Rhode Island on a Singapore Press Holdings scholarship, said the Pledge into the telephone. 'My mum woke me up to wish me a happy birthday, and she said the family was about to say the Pledge and insisted I do it with them too,' said Miss Tan, who turned 22 yesterday.

About 200 Singaporeans in New York City said it in advance - during a reception at the Singapore mission there on Friday night.

And who said the Pledge has to be said aloud? Singaporeans here and around the world 'said' it online.

On micro-blogging site Twitter, dozens typed in the opening words of the Pledge at 8.22pm: 'We, the citizens of Singapore...'

GRACE CHUA