(Exclusive Interview with the Secretary General of the DPP Legiun Veterans of the Republic of Indonesia - LVRI)

UPNVJ Public Relations - “ Earlier I came here, I felt like crying. How come, like this? Our dream is like this. This is an aspiration that became true ” - Marsda TNI Retired. Fx. Soejitno as Secretary General of LVRI.

He conveyed this expression in an interview session conducted when the LVRI DPP came to visit UPNVJ, Thursday 12 November 2020. He said that seeing the current UPNVJ was the aspiration of former Veterans, namely establishing a university.

LVRI is an organization that brings together Veterans of the Republic of Indonesia. The arrival of LVRI on this occasion is in order to re-tie the common thread that has been intertwined between Veterans and UPNVJ.

In his interview this time, Soejitno is pleased to share his story for the Young Generation to read. He expressed a feeling of pride because he had become this big when he came to UPNVJ after being handed over to the State as UPN Negeri.

The most memorable experience while being part of the Indonesian Warriors.

“I am a Defense Veteran. For information, Veterans are divided into three. First , the Warrior Veterans who fought for and defended Independence from 1945 to 1949, which can also be called the Freedom Fighters. Second , the Defender Veteran, namely the Defender of Independence who fought for Irian, can also be called the Trikora Veteran (People's Tri Command), there is also the Dwikora Hero (Dwi People's Command) who played a role in the formation of the Malaysian state and finally the Timor-Timor War. Third, there are new Veterans, namely Veterans who were sent abroad carrying the UN flag to carry out the Preamble of the Constitution, namely "Participate in Maintaining World Order". I am a Defense Veteran who took part in the Battle of Timor-timor.”

What Does Defending the Country Mean to You?

I'm from the Air Force, I love our country, Indonesia. I am willing to be placed anywhere. At that time, as a Defender Veteran, which means defending Independence when fighting for West Irian, which is called Trikora, I was tasked with protecting Timor-Timor from Infiltration in the Air from other countries. The infiltrators usually carried weapons. From there we can limit it so that no foreign aircraft can enter Timor-Timor. The incoming infiltration can be by land, sea and air. My job at that time was to protect Timor-Timor and make sure that no " flies " entered.

Can you tell us about the history of the Veterans building UPN Veterans?

From what I've read, in 1949 during the Round Table Conference (KMB) that the Sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia was fully recognized by the whole world. Since then, Indonesia has been able to stand even though there are still many upheavals, including Indonesia still being the United States of Indonesia. After the struggle in 1949, the Veterans who were still relatively young at that time (around 25-30 years old) were very enthusiastic young people, but they lived what they wrote and they understood the Preamble of the Constitution, namely "Participate in educating the Nation". In fact, they aspire to establish universities. However, in his long journey could only set up an academy. Problems occurred after the academy was founded, they were confused. How to bring this academy to life next. They have neither manpower nor money. until finally they decided to hand over this academy to the Department of Veterans in the Ministry of Veterans (current Ministry of Defence). Since then the newly born UPN Veteran has been cared for by the Ministry of Defence.

What are your hopes for UPN Veteran Jakarta?

Go on, develop and make this a leading University. The younger generation is the one who can do it. The younger generation who hold the name Veterans. Entrust. Do not dishonor the name of Veterans. Preserve the Veteran's spirit. Don't make this University a den of drugs. Do not make a nest of radicals. We are all human beings who are destined to love the motherland. Because we do have aspirations to educate the nation's children.

UPN is my son

We can fight for UPN Veterans together.

We work together to establish, uphold and develop UPN Veterans.