Monument for heroes

Monument for heroes

YOGYAKARTA: Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat officially dedicated yesterday a monument to the founding fathers of the Indonesian National Army (TNI).

The monument, located at TNI headquarters, includes bronze statues of the army's first chief, Gen. Soedirman, and of Lt. Gen. R. Oerip Soemohardjo, Antara reported.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said in a written speech, read by Edi, that the monument is expected to inspire the nation's young people.

Young people can learn a lot from Gen. Soedirman, who continued to lead the armed struggle against the Dutch colonial army in spite of ill-health, Soedarman said.

He said that Oerip helped found the military's academy on Oct. 31, 1945, at a time when he was still actively involved in the armed struggle. (imn)