National Defense Day, Cirebon City Government Invites Residents to Realize Love for the Motherland Through Real Action

Cirebon, Konntroversinews, Com. – The commemoration of the 77th National Defense Day in 2025 is an important reminder that love for one’s country cannot be said enough, but must be realized through concrete actions in everyday life. The spirit of defending the country is present in social awareness, discipline, responsibility, and the active contribution of every citizen in maintaining unity and supporting nation development, including from the immediate environment.

The Cirebon City Government held a Ceremony to Commemorate the 77th National Defense Day 2025 in the courtyard of Cirebon City Hall, Friday (19/12/2025). Deputy Mayor of Cirebon, Siti Farida Rosmawati, acted as inspector of the ceremony which was attended by ASN ranks, elements of the TNI-Polri, as well as representatives of various elements of society.

On this occasion, the Deputy Mayor read the Written Message of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on the 77th Commemoration of National Defense Day 2025. He invited all participants in the ceremony to make the momentum of this commemoration a space for reflection on the spirit of patriotism and nationality that had been inherited by their predecessors. Defending the country, he emphasized, is not just a slogan, but a collective obligation of all citizens.

“On this occasion, it would be appropriate for all of us to reflect on the values ​​of patriotism and national spirit that have been inherited by our predecessors,” he said when starting the reading of the President’s address.

He emphasized that the people of Cirebon City have an important role in maintaining sovereignty and contributing to advancing Indonesia amidst the challenges of an increasingly complex era. In the President’s address which he read, he expressed his gratitude for the commemoration of the 77th National Defense Day which falls every December 19. This date is a reminder of the establishment of the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) in Bukittinggi in 1948, when the Second Dutch Military Aggression threatened the survival of the Republic. This historic event is clear proof that the spirit of defending the country is able to keep Indonesia standing.

This year’s National Defense Day commemoration carries the theme “Strongly Defending the Nation for Advanced Indonesia”. This theme reminds us that national progress can only be achieved if all people have preparedness, discipline and resilience in facing various challenges. In the midst of global dynamics that are fast and full of uncertainty, the spirit of defending the country is an important foundation for national resilience.

The President’s message also highlights various unconventional challenges currently facing the nation, ranging from geopolitical rivalries, energy crises, technological disruption, to information flows that are vulnerable to manipulation. Threats to the country are no longer just physical, but also cyber warfare, radicalism, and the increasing risk of natural disasters. In this situation, defending the country must be the collective strength of all Indonesian citizens.

In another part, the President through his message invited all Indonesian people to show solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra who are being tested by natural disasters. These three regions have a very large historical role in the journey of the Republic, starting from Aceh as the “Capital Region” of the struggle, North Sumatra with the fighting spirit of the Medan Area, to West Sumatra which gave birth to the PDRI as the savior of the republic.

Without Aceh, without North Sumatra, and without West Sumatra, the history of national defense would be incomplete. The determination and courage of the people in these regions became a strong foundation for the founding of Indonesia.

“National unity and solidarity have proven to be the nation’s greatest strength in facing the most critical times,” continued the Deputy Mayor.

Closing his address, the Deputy Mayor of Cirebon invited the entire community to make National Defense Day a reminder to put love for the country into concrete action. Starting from helping others affected by disasters, protecting the digital space from hoaxes, strengthening family economic resilience, to actively contributing to development according to their respective roles.

“Let us together strengthen our determination for a strong Indonesia, an advanced Indonesia, and an Indonesia that is always able to rise to face every challenge,” he concluded. **