REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DELFT -- The Indonesian ambassador to The Netherlands inaugurated the flag hoisting squad (Paskibra), which consists of thirteen high school students from the School of Indonesia Nederland (SIN) at the Embassy in The Hague, Friday (15 August).
"Being in the squad requires high discipline because this is a noble task for the nation?s youth in a country which has a long history with Indonesia," the Indonesian ambassador to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Retno LP Marsudi, said during her speech at the inauguration.
Volunteers of the flag hoisting squad (Paskibra) kiss the national flag, take the Paskibra oath, as well as get the Paskibra badge pinned on them by the ambassador at the inauguration ceremony.
The mandate to raise the national flag, in a country which has long, historical ties with Indonesia, is an honorable task, ambassador Retno said.
"Indonesia and The Netherlands were on opposite sides. In fact they had occupied our homeland for a very long time," the Indonesian ambassador said, adding that even so, now the relationship between the two countries has been well established.
Past history must be considered as a lesson for Indonesians to make this country a better place in the future, according to the ambassador.
"The Netherlands is a unique place to learn. By understanding its historical ties with Indonesia, we will understand how we should walk and behave in order to make a better future for Indonesia," the ambassador said.
The flag hoisting squad from the Indonesian Nederland School will be raising the national flag in commemoration of the Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 2014. The event will take place at Wisma Duta located in Wassenaar (approximately 54 kilometers south west of Amsterdam).
Indonesian Independence Day, which is organized by the Indonesia Embassy in The Hague, comprises sports activities such as golf and bowling competitions, as well as fun biking that are held from June until early August.
The 17 August celebrations will conclude with the Pesta Rakyat (People's Fiesta) or Indonesian Day on 6 September, 2014.
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