Sleman (KR) – Similar to the previous years, in the 28th Yogya Kembali Monument Anniversary Commemoration UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta raised a giant the red-and-with flag covering the cone of the Monjali monument, Thursday (6/7). Although nothing special took place, the giant flag-raising was a proof that the younger generation still have high spirits to respect and follow the heroes who have passed away.

“Last year, we also raise the giant flag during the Monjali Anniversary ceremony, commemorated every July 6th . Because we want it to be a yearly agenda, The MAPALA Team of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta again raised the 20 by 12 meters giant flag covering the cone of the Monjali Monument, “ said Zaeni Mansyur, the program coordinator of Mapala Yogya.

To him, covering the cone of the monument with the giant flag is the symbol of the younger generation’s struggle. The giant flag had to be stretched wide on a sloping diagonal base so as to cover the conical monument building. Despite the challenge, three members of the Mapala were able to pull the flag from the western, eastern sides and peak of the Monjali monument properly.

The obstacles faced by the Mapala Team were the blowing wind, which made the flag to cripple or come loose. “To maintain the position of the flag, we keep vigilance for two days, including nights. The flag is planned to be lowered on Friday morning (7/7) “, he explained.

The Head of Monjali Monument Board of Management, HJ Soetikno explained that 28th anniversary commemoration was attended by all Monjali employees wearing hero’s attire and the students from a number of campuses in Yogyakarta. He further explained, “We have cooperated with UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta for a long time. The Mapala Team of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta usually helps us clean the cone of Monjali Monument, certainly because they are used to climbing on robes, and so we did the second raising of the giant flag, coinciding the Monjali anniversary,” Soetikno explained.

The existence of the monument represents an appreciation to the heroes who regain Yogyakarta from the hands of the Colonial Regime, leading to the withdrawal of the Dutch troops on June 29th, 1949, exactly 68 years ago.

(Courtesy from Kedaulatan Rakyat)