Forgotten hero<\/p>\n
Indonesia's aviation world has lost one of its early pioneers
\nwith the death of Petit Muharto on March 8, 2000. He was 81, and
\nhe had lived through the remaining years of Dutch rule, World War
\nII, the struggle for independence and the nation-building years
\nwhich brought Indonesia from the young country it was to the
\ngiant it is today.<\/p>\n
His zest for freedom and adventure as a young man compelled
\nhim to become a self-taught pilot at a time when almost all
\nIndonesians were merely awed at contraptions that allowed men to
\nfly.<\/p>\n
During Indonesia's desperate fight for independence, he
\npiloted the republic's first Dakota-RI 002 that repeatedly broke
\nthrough a Dutch blockade of Yogyakarta where Indonesia's freedom
\nfighters were supposed be surrounded and confined by the Dutch.
\nThese perilous feats carried deadly risks and demanded courage
\nand ingenuity. As a pilot, he flew with noted American pilots
\nlike Bob Freeberg, Cobly and Jim Fleming. His trusty radio
\noperator was Pak Budiardjo.<\/p>\n
As a high-school teacher, his students will remember him as a
\nteacher who taught by example. His desire for national
\nindependence and sovereign recognition for his country inspired
\nthem. As a fighter, he taught them also to fight for such
\nhonorable aspirations. Many will still wonder how through the
\nfollowing years he would adamantly stand by his principles and
\nhow he sacrificed for them.<\/p>\n
Many know now how right he was about the coming of Indonesia's
\ndark episode as the young nation moving along the path of
\nhistory. Alas, he was too far ahead then, and when the dreaded
\nmomentum finally came, he was lost in the commotion. Someone else
\nhad stolen the limelight.<\/p>\n
Many of his friends and those who knew him will remember him
\nas a leader, a fighter, a pilot, a diplomat, a rebel, an
\ninspiration and, perhaps, a forgotten hero. One day, hopefully,
\nhistory will speak for itself. Meanwhile, from a loving son to a
\ngreat father... goodbye and safe passage on your final
\neverlasting flight as we stay behind and watch you go.<\/p>\n
EKO MUHATMA KARTODIRDJO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forgotten-hero-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }