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As civilians, we tend to take soldiers and the lives that they have dedicated to serve our country for granted. We turn a blind eye to the sacrifices they make every day and are oblivious to the fact that it is because of the choices that THEY have made, WE can go about life as we know it.
Last week, I had the rare privilege to catch a glimpse of army life first hand. I heard the stories that opened my eyes to the other side of what I have heard of life as a member of the corps. I am amazed at how they have made their jobs a part of their identity, how proud they are of what they stand for, and how dedicated they are to the oaths that they have taken when they entered the corps. I see women who are strong and independent, not foreign to the concept of single fighting for her family and fluent in the art of loading a gun, throwing a grenade or even skinning a deer. Women who are not afraid to support her husband in any way he needs her to, or to protect their way of life for the sake of her children. I see children who have lived far from civilisation, who do not find the idea of suddenly hiding under bunkers or crawling under houses to safety a strange idea but finds comfort in believing they are capable of protecting themselves. Army brats who are proud to watch their fathers in action. I see a close knit community of the Indonesian Special Armed Forces who take care of each other, who puts the needs of their country before their own, who puts their lives at risk daily for the greater good that they believe in. I see a group of unsung heroes who boldly cries out the hymn of the Indonesian Special Armed Forces, "… Demi Tuhan kami ini berjanji, rela binasa membela Ibu Pertiwi. Indonesia kami puja, tanah air kami cinta. Baret merah jiwa sudah janji kita semua, lebih baik pulang nama daripada gagal di medan laga." (Which can be loosely translated into: … by God we swear that we will perish to protect our country. Indonesia we hail, the land we love. The red stripe is our promise, we rather come home only a name than to fail in battle.) They live out the meaning these words everyday in their daily lives, solemnly living up to the words that have been imprinted in their blood, and teaching their families to do the same.
The few days I spent being around them have made me realise that their sacrifice is more than just missing a few birthdays. It is like starting a new way of life, wherein common relationships don't exist, husbands putting the needs of the country before the needs of his wife, his children or his family, a life that is founded on discipline and solidarity between people fighting together towards a common goal. It was like stepping into a brave new world for me and I grow to appreciate them. Nationalism has acquired a brand new meaning for me and I, for one, have come to understand that the soldier, his wife, his children are all our nation's truest heroes.
"I will knowingly break your heart again and again… but I can promise you that when I break your heart, I will be breaking mine… I will see the faces of our children in every life that I protect." I didn't understand the meaning of these words before, but I do now. These words carry weight that is as strong as the oath Paulus lives by every day, truth that he has come to understand being raised by a General of the corp. And that's enough to send the chills down my back, swell my heart as it grew ten times larger, inspired to love my country more.
Paulus and Ella were joined as one last week, in an elaborate traditional Batak wedding ceremony. Aside from the rich cultural traditions, the best part of this military wedding is the customary "Pedang Pora". It is a symbol of respect from the lower rank officers of the corp to their Captain and the military way of saying congratulations and of releasing their superior into new journey in married life, and welcoming his bride into their family. The family of the Indonesian Special Armed Forces.
I hope you enjoy the video. Congratulations again Paulus and Ella.
much love,
Garry
Cast:Axioo
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