In commemoration of the 77^th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (27 July, 1947 - 27 July, 2024), the youth of the Da Nang, alongside their peers across the nation, have marked the occasion with numerous heartfelt activities to express their gratitude and appreciation to Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, families of martyrs, wounded soldiers, and individuals who contributed to the revolution.

Local youth union members placing new, plastic lotus flowers on martyrs' graves at the Da Nang Martyrs' Cemetery on July 20. Photo: N.Q

Taking care of martyrs' cemeteries

On the morning of 20 July, the city's youth collectively replaced over 5,360 old plastic lotus flower bouquets with new ones at eight cemeteries, including the Da Nang's Martyrs' Cemetery and cemeteries in Hoa Tho Dong, Hoa Khanh Nam, Hoa Minh, Hoa Hai and Hoa Quy wards, and Hoa Phong and Hoa Phuoc communes.

This annual programme, organised by the municipal Youth Union in collaboration with Viettel Da Nang, aims to honour the tradition of "Gratitude to revolution contributors" and “When you drink water, remember the source” while maintaining a clean and beautiful environment at the cemeteries.

Ngo Thi Thu Hien, residing in Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, was among the youth members present early at the city's Martyrs' Cemetery in Hoa Khuong Commune. She was engaged in cleaning the cemetery, offering incense, and preparing necessary items for the activity. Holding new lotus flower bouquets, Thu Hien meticulously placed them in vases in front of each martyr's grave.

"Every year on War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, my friends and I come to offer incense and clean martyrs' graves. Through this, we express our deep gratitude to the heroic martyrs who bravely sacrificed for the independence and freedom of our nation" Thu Hien shared.

According to Huynh Thanh Binh, Secretary of the Youth Union organisation in Lien Chieu District, in mid-July, the unit, in collaboration with the youth union organisations of Vietcombank North Da Nang and Vinamilk Da Nang, carried out cleanup and replaced 50 solar-powered lights at the Lien Chieu District Martyrs' Cemetery.

In 2022, small lights were installed in front of the martyrs' graves, but many were damaged due to weather conditions. The district-based Youth Union organisation inspected and replaced unusable lights to refresh the cemetery.

On July 25, the Youth Union organisation continued replacing 200 solar-powered lights at the Hoa Hiep Martyrs' Cemetery, as well as launching a campaign to clean, offer incense, and replace old flowers with new ones at martyrs' cemeteries, memorials, and revolutionary historical sites in the area to express the younger generation's gratitude to the heroes and martyrs.

Caring for families of revolution contributors

During the period, the youth of Son Tra District launched various activities to pay tribute and care for families of those who contributed to the revolution.

The Son Tra district-based Youth Union organisation supported the repair, replacement of roofing, and repainting of the small and dilapidated house of former youth volunteer Trinh Thi Nhi residing in An Hai Bac Ward with more than VND 20 million contributed by youth members and benefactors.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, Secretary of the Youth Union organisation in Son Tra District, noted that the unit has got involved in cleaning and organising candle-lighting ceremonies at memorials in Phuoc My, Man Thai, An Hai Tay wards. It has visited and presented gifts to six Heroic Vietnamese Mothers in the locality.

One of the standout activities by the municipal Youth Union and its chapters across the city is the implementation of the "We are always with you, mothers" model.

Initiated by the municipal Youth Union in 2021, this model aims to care for and bring joy to nearly 80 Heroic Vietnamese Mothers in seven districts. Every two months, Youth Union chapters visit, converse, offer incense, cook, and dine with the mothers.

On the occasion of the 77^th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, the Da Nang Youth Union directed its chapters to organise a wide range of meaningful activities such as repairing, cleaning, and beautifying memorials, cemeteries, and martyrs' graves; providing free medical check-ups and medicines; visiting and presenting gifts to wounded soldiers, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, and former youth volunteers; and mobilising resources to build and repair essential facilities for families of revolution contributors.

At 6:30 pm on 26 July, the Youth Union chapters held candle-lighting ceremonies simultaneously at 27 martyrs' cemeteries and memorials across the city.

Nguyen Ba Duan, Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union and President of the Da Nang Youth Federation, stated that the younger generation always remembered the contributions and sacrifices of the heroes, martyrs, and Heroic Vietnamese Mothers for the cause of national liberation. Hence, not only in July but throughout the year, the "Gratitude to revolution contributors" and “When you drink water, remember the source” campaigns have become regular activities for the city's youth. Through these activities, the youth demonstrate their role and responsibility in expressing gratitude to social policy beneficiaries and revolution contributors, while also fostering patriotism and national pride in the current era.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC - Translating by TRUC VY