Istana event to mark SAF's 50th anniversary

Military Expert (ME) 3 Brian Rajoo (centre) getting advice from President Tony Tan Keng Yam yesterday at an Istana exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The 52-year-old ME3 Rajoo was at the event with (from left) his son ME2 Mark, 27; daughters Abigail, 16, and Geraldine, 20; and wife, defence executive officer Vasanta, 51. About 21,000 people attended the event, which featured flight simulator rides, interactive games and performances by the SAF Band, as well as the SAF Music and Drama Company. ME3 Rajoo, who has spent 32 years in the Navy, said he has seen the SAF transform its "standards of training, equipment and welfare" during that time. He is proud of his two sons, both of whom have become career soldiers. "From young, they have been seeing me in uniform," he said. "Maybe that's how they were influenced."