“Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia!” (Happy Independence Day, Indonesia!)

I am Garuda! I am honored to be here today to celebrate our nation’s independence.

August 17th 1945, our founding fathers proclaimed our independence from the Dutch colonial rule. It was a day of great joy and hope for the Indonesian people. We had finally achieved our freedom, and we could begin to build a new nation for ourselves.

Since then, we have made great progress. We have built a strong and prosperous nation, and we have become a respected member of the international community. But our journey is not over yet. We still have many challenges to face, but I am confident that we will overcome them together.

On this Independence Day, let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Pancasila. Let us uphold the principles of unity in diversity, social justice, and democracy. Let us work together to build a better future for all Indonesians.

Together, we are Garuda. We are the embodiment of the Indonesian spirit. We are strong, we are united, and we are free.

Merdeka! (Freedom!)

Garuda Pancasila is the national emblem of Indonesia. It is a golden eagle with a white scroll in its claws, which is inscribed with the national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity). The Garuda’s feathers are arranged to represent the date 17 August 1945, the day on which Indonesia’s independence was proclaimed.