The Ministry of National Defense has stated today (1^st) that to celebrate the Republic of China 108 New Year’s Day, Minister Yen will be leading the Chief of the General Staff Admiral Lee, Policy Vice Minister General Shen, Armament Vice Minister General Zhang, commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force Command Headquarters, principal and reserve of the National Defense University, and military police commanders, as well as approximately 500 students from 9 military schools including army, navy, and air force academy, Fu Hsing Kang College NDU, Management College NDU, Chung Cheng Institute of Technology NDU, National Defense Medical Center, Air Force Institute of Technology, and the Army Academy to attend the New Year’s Day Presidential Palace flag-raising ceremony and welcome the arrival of the new year together.

The Ministry of National Defense pointed out that singing the national anthem and attending the flag-raising ceremony are both concrete manifestation of patriotism. The MND Symphony Orchestra and Armed Forces Honor Guard (a total of 230 members) of the Ministry of National Defense will be performing 6 tracks including “Happiness Blueprint March”, “Fearless Warriors”, “Because of You”, “LovING”, “The Best Day”, and “Triumphal March” to cooperate the planning axis “Brave and Confident to March Forward with the World” of the event and bless Taiwanese citizens a happy new year as well as welcoming the arrival of 2019 by performing alongside the changes of walking position and rifle spinning of the Armed Forces to demonstrate splendid formation.

The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the Republic of China 108 New Year’s Day Presidential Palace Flag-raising Ceremony is an important national celebration. By cooperating with the event axis of “Brave and Confident to March Forward with the World”, the Armed Forces Honor Guard and MND Symphony Orchestra even display a perfect and mighty military discipline in front of all citizens apart from the students of military schools attending the flag-raising ceremony in order to present the love towards the country with action.

Attachments

Republic of China 108 New Year’s Day Presidential Palace Flag-raising Ceremony

MND Symphony Orchestra, Armed Forces Honor Guard Drill Features

1. MND Symphony Orchestra:

(1) Arrival:《Happiness Blueprint》March
This track is created by corporal Li Zheng-zhi of the army orchestra; the tone of the first period is a classic march style with the unison of brass instruments kicking off the prelude, and a strong theme of low pitched brass instruments that symbolizes the willingness to overcome hardship and we should all strive for a happy future.

The second period consist of an elegant and extensive theme paired with low pitched brass instruments, and is piled up with the bright tone of the trumpet to infuse warmth into the track, while the rustic and refined lines also imply the most beautiful cultural customs in Taiwan. The third period is a reproduction of the first period, where the theme motive is now developed as more resolute and determined, which implies that one must jump out of the circle to form a true happiness blueprint for a better future.

(2) Performance drill:《Fearless Warriors》《Because of You》《LovING》《The Best Day》
《Fearless Warriors》is divided into two sections of introduction and theme. The introduction is approximately 24 seconds and consists of a resounding period plays by the trumpet, which resembles the arrival of powerful armed forces with unstoppable morale. The theme begins with a melodious melody, which symbolizes the enlisted young soldiers are marching forward fearlessly; the trombone in the middle section depicts the difficult training that hones the physicality and mentality of the soldiers, and the climbing scales represent the conquering of each challenging training. Finally, the impassioned march in the rear section depicts the armed forces who are guarding the country substantially and fearlessly.

《Because of You》is a song created by singer JJ Lin. As the name of the song depicts, the armed forces exists because of each citizen, and behind the hardworking people there is always a group of silent guardians to protect this country, whose purpose is to allow the people on this land to have a happy and peaceful life, which is also the firm belief that the armed forces has towards Republic of China.

《LovING》is one of the most widely known songs of renowned Taiwanese pop group “Mayday” with a youthful and lively style that represents the active and innovative side of young people.《The Best Day》is also one of Mayday’s song with positive lyrics, and describes that as long as one lives earnestly, everyday is the “best day”; as for the armed forces, the basic responsibility is to fulfill combat training and protect the everyday lives of the people 24/7.

(3) Interval: 《Triumphal March》
《Triumphal March》is the most acclaimed march track by renowned military music master Dai Yi-qing. This dignified and heroic track depicts the scenery where heroes return victoriously, and is played when the armed forces is presenting medals and awards to commend glorious triumph.

2. Armed Forces Honor Guard (drill explanation draft summary)

(1) Rifle Stomping:
The vivid flags of the armed forces flutter with the wind are paired with the track “Fearless Warriors” to expect the people to be brave, confident, and march forward fearlessly when facing predicaments in the new year.

(2) Victory Formation:
The honor guard members make the best interpretation for the high morale and spiritual strength of the armed forces with neat rifle actions and precise walking position in this track created by sergeant Li Yu-chuan of the MND Symphony Orchestra.

(3) Infinite Formation:
The honor guard members are working together and are not afraid of extreme weather when completing each challenging training and to pursue the honor guard spirit of “there is always better” so that they can demonstrate the most perfect performance today.

(4) Three Rounds of Reverse Rifles:
The MND Symphony Orchestra is responsible for playing renowned group Mayday’s featured track; its brisk and lively music style is paired with the superb marksmanship and ingenious changes of formation to expect that citizens are equipped with infinite hope starting from the first day of the new year.

(5) Three Waves of Rifle Stomping:
The brothers of the Armed Forces Honor Guard operate 6 kg M1 rifles and correspond with the intense tempos to display a never-ending wave like visual effect.

(6) Gun Dashing:
Let us join hands and create a better future together. The MND Symphony Orchestra and Armed Forces Honor Guard wish everyone a “Happy New Year”.