President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led a remembrance ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery, here, in the wee hours of Tuesday, to pay tribute to the fallen heroes. The ceremony was part of the commemoration of the 76th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day that falls on August 17.
“To commemorate the 76th Independence Proclamation Day of the Republic of Indonesia, we are present today, on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 00:00 Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) at a ceremony to remember the spirits and services of the national heroes buried at this cemetery,” Jokowi affirmed.
The head of state, as the ceremony’s inspector, paid the highest tribute to 10,190 fallen heroes, including 43 unknown heroes, who had fought for the country’s freedom.
“We pledge and promise that the struggle of those heroes is also our struggle, and their path of services is also our path,” he emphasized. Jokowi also honored the unknown fallen heroes across the nation and prayed that they rest in the best place beside God, the Almighty.
“We also pay our greatest respect to the heroes, whose names and places are not known in cities, villages, mountain slopes, valleys, gorges, and at the bottom of seas, for their sincerity and purity of sacrifices in the struggle for the happiness of the homeland and the nation,” he stated.
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas led the prayers during the midnight remembrance ceremony.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest nation, with a population of over 270 million, celebrates its Independence Day on August 17 in a modest and largely virtual manner owing to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Antara News