REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia is celebrating Heroes Day every November 10. Indonesians believe that they can rise from downturn by commemorating historical events. The memory of heroes' sacrifice can light the spirit to move forward.

This year, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo bestows the title of hero to four respected figures, known as war veterans. They are Lieutenant General Djamin Ginting, Sukarni Kartodiwirjo, Abdul Wahab Chasbullah and Mayor General Mohammad Mangoendiprojo.

Djamin Ginting led resistance in Front Tana Karo in 1947 during Dutch military aggression I. Ginting was also a commander in Medan Area Battle, where people's resistance fighting against Allies. He was also appointed as Indonesian Ambassador to Canada in 1972 until he passed away in 1974.

Born in July 14, 1916, Sukarni Kartodiwirjo was a man who urged Soekarno-Hatta to declare independence. He took Soekarno and Hatta to Rengasdengklok on August 16, 1945 to prevent them from being dissuaded by the Japanese. After Soekarno declared independence on August 17, 1945, Sukarni established the Comite Van Aksi, a committee tasked with spreading the news of independence as fast as possible.

Abdul Wahab Chasbullah was a religious figure from Jombang, East Java. He prepared Jihad Resolution as a support for independence. As an early founder of Nahdlatul Ulama, Chasbullah gathered support from Nahdliyin to Indonesian government.

Mayor General Mohammad Mangoendiprojo was a man who took over assets of the Dutch in Escompto Bank. He used the money for the struggle to reach independence.

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