78 years of gratitude

Provincial leaders visit the provincial Martyrs' Cemetery on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day. Photo: PHUONG LAN

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh commemorates martyrs at Doc Ba Dac Martyrs Cemetery. Photo: GIA KHANH

Amidst the smoke of war, everyone is willing to sacrifice...

July - the season of gratitude returns. We visited the heroic Vietnamese mother Nguyen Thi Bay (born in 1935), residing in Oc Eo commune . Entering the small house, the atmosphere was heavy with pain and also bright with the indomitable spirit of a mother's life. In that place, every wall, every corner of the house still retains the memories of the old years full of hardship and pride. Each story that mother told seemed to pour into the listener's heart the salty taste of tears, the sweetness of patriotism and silent sacrifice.

Her husband, martyr Hua Van That, passed away in 1969 in the flames of war, leaving her with an inconsolable pain. In 1982, her son Hua Ha Trieu fell on the battlefield in Cambodia, continuing the family's heroic tradition. The wrinkles on her face were etched with deep loss, but her eyes still shone with pride and undying love for her homeland.

Although the war has long gone, memories of a time of war still remind us of the value of peace , independence, and the responsibility to preserve the achievements that our ancestors paid for with their blood and bones. Ms. Pham Thi Bien (born in 1937), with a 3/4 disability, and the consequences of chemical poisoning, is currently residing in An Thoi hamlet, My Thoi ward. She joined the resistance war very early, with a fervent spirit of patriotism. In 1968, in a fierce battle in Ca Mau, she and her comrades had to face the enemy's bombs and bullets. "That day, although my comrades and I were injured, no one showed any fear, we only fought for the Fatherland," Ms. Bien emotionally recounted.

In 1972, a major event occurred. She was imprisoned by the enemy, and her first child, who was just over 1 year old at the time, also had to endure imprisonment with her mother. “I suffered the most. For more than ten months of imprisonment, I suffered continuous beatings on my small body, my baby was still young and thirsty for milk, thinking back to that scene, the hatred boiled inside me even more,” Mrs. Bien choked. The cruel beatings and the cries of her baby for milk did not make her collapse, but on the contrary, they further fueled her strong will to fight for independence.

Silent memorial to heroic martyrs who fell in wars to protect the Fatherland. Photo: GIA KHÁNH

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Giang Thanh Khoa visited the family of a person with revolutionary contributions.

Effective implementation of policy

In order to continue improving the quality of gratitude work, taking care of the lives of people with meritorious services to the revolution on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2025), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued Official Dispatch No. 102/CD-TTg, dated June 30, 2025. Accordingly, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, Party committees and authorities of provinces and centrally run cities are assigned to continue effectively implementing Directive No. 14-CT/TW, dated July 19, 2017 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership over the work of people with meritorious services, as well as implementing Resolution No. 42-NQ/TW, dated November 24, 2023 on continuing to innovate and improve the quality of social policies in the new period.

In An Giang, the management and care of people with meritorious services to the revolution has always been focused on. Currently, the province is managing over 87,860 records of people with meritorious services and related people, of which over 14,000 people with meritorious services receive monthly allowances. In the field of housing support according to Decision No. 21/2024/QD-TTg, the whole province has 2,024 cases of people with meritorious services to the revolution who have difficulty with housing and are supported to renovate, repair or build new houses. To date, 1,991 houses have been completed, reaching 98.4%, while 32 houses are being urgently completed, striving to be handed over before July 27, 2025.

In recent days, working delegations of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province have simultaneously organized many visits and presented gifts to outstanding policy families in the province. This is an annual activity, demonstrating the deep concern of the provincial leaders for families with revolutionary contributions, those who sacrificed their blood and bones for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. The delegations visited, encouraged, presented meaningful gifts; and kindly inquired about the health and lives of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, war invalids, sick soldiers, and relatives of martyrs. Today's generation expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of their fathers and brothers, and at the same time encouraged the families to continue promoting the revolutionary tradition, setting a shining example for the younger generation to follow.

At Doc Ba Dac Martyrs Cemetery, Thoi Son Ward, the resting place of more than 9,000 martyrs, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Phan Duy Bang affirmed: “The youth of An Giang vow to continue the revolutionary tradition of previous generations; absolutely believe and vow to forever follow the path chosen by the Party, Uncle Ho and the People; continue to promote talent, intelligence and youthfulness in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland; always uphold the spirit of volunteerism, not afraid of difficulties and hardships, ready to face challenges, go anywhere, do anything when the Fatherland and the People need it”.

Article and photos: PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/78-nam-ven-nghia-tri-an-a424942.html