Few observe Heroes Day

Few observe Heroes Day

Tiarma Siboro
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Unlike in the past years, no sound of sirens across the
country remarking minutes of silence to pay tribute to the fallen
forefathers of independence.

Only a handful of people attended the Heroes Day ceremony at
the Kalibata heroes cemetery.

Among top military brass, only Jakarta Garrison chief Brig.
Gen. Harry Pisand Pinem and Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen.
Bibit Waluyo attended the 15-minute ceremony at Kalibata,
presided over by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf
Kalla.

The country's leaders, including the President, Vice President
and legislative speakers, were not seen commemorating the heroes'
day.

In the heroes' city of Surabaya, where the heroes' day came
from, the commemoration was marked by a social drive led East
Java governor to clean the city from garbage.

"The city has long facing problem with garbage. In line with
the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day, I urge people here
to clean up the city," governor Imam Utomo said.

Another meaningful celebration was a strewing flower ceremony
conducted at KRI Teluk Ende war ship, led by
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono.

Also attended at the ceremony was the Navy Chief of Staff Adm.
Indroko Sastrowiryono.

Despite less fanfares, Navy spokesman Commodore Franky Kayhatu
said the national heroes' day was still meaningful for the
Indonesian Military (TNI).

He said each military units held their own ceremonies, led by
their own leaders.