Da Nang is now home to hundreds of people who have been honoured with the title ‘Heroes of the People's Armed Forces’.  Notable amongst them are former female revolutionaries who usually jointly hold informal get-togethers to recall their vivid unforgettable memories of their heroic fighting for national reunification.

Local Incumbent military officers and former revolutionaries

To mark the recent 70^th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (27 July), the heroines were very eager to meet with one another at former revolutionary Nguyen Thi Tam’s home on Phan Thanh Street.  All of them looked very nice in their former military uniforms with their honourable badges.

During the gathering, the participants shed tears whilst recalling unforgettable hardships and difficulties during wartime.  Most of them were very young when they joined Vietnamese revolutionary armed forces.

Ms Nguyen Thi Thao, an ex-serviceman from a former transport battalion, once engaged in bringing goods, weapons and ammunition to Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers in preparation for fights.  She witnessed so many terrible things in wars, especially saw hundreds of her comrades in her unit become wounded or sacrificed their lives for national liberation. 

As for Ms Tam, despite the passage of time, never-forgotten memories of fierce battles against foreign invaders still stay deep in her mind. 

In the post-war time, despite their difficulties and physical wounds of war, these heroic women have always lived happily and made the great devotion to the city’s progress.  They are willing to participate in periodic meetings with other local female citizens, Youth Union members and local school pupils.  In particular, during such meaningful events, they always encourage young people to uphold the spirit of patriotism and the country’s heroic traditions, as well as to fulfil tough assigned duties in their lives in a bid to make even greater efforts to the city’s growth, and the country as a whole.

Ms Thao, for instance, has always taken the trouble to wholeheartedly appeal for public donations to help dozens of her former comrades in difficult circumstances build their new homes.  Other heroine, Ms Nguyen Thi Chinh, has been actively involved in charitable activities in the central and southern regions over recent years, in spite of her physical pains.

With their undaunted courage and indomitable spirit, the female veterans remain as bright examples for younger generations to follow in the cause of national construction and protection.