Lam Dong Honors the Spirit of Gratitude in July
As July arrives, the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" continues across Lam Dong Province through practical activities expressing responsibility and gratitude to people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution.
Memories That Never Fade
Every July, the revolutionary land of Xuan Truong – Da Lat carries a special sense of emotion. On this land that once witnessed years of fierce warfare, life today is changing day by day. Yet the memories of those who fought and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland continue to be treasured and preserved by generations.
Xuan Truong – Da Lat is home to 18 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and more than 190 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland. Xuan Son, in particular, bears witness to the prolonged and resilient struggle of local soldiers and people.
More than half a century has passed, but Tran Van Nhy, born in 1950, still vividly remembers the years when he fought alongside his comrades in this area.
During one battle in the Xuan Truong area, his unit was assigned to cut through barbed-wire obstacles. When the order was given to halt the attack and change direction, the soldiers withdrew. Suddenly, enemy fire from above struck, killing one of Nhy's close comrades.
The memory of the comrade who fell beside him during the early days of his revolutionary service remains as vivid as ever. It is not only the personal pain of a soldier but also part of the memory of the difficult wartime years on the land of Xuan Truong.
Tran Van Nhy is a war invalid with a disability rate of more than 61 percent. After the war, he continued serving for many years, holding the positions of Secretary of the Xuan Truong Party Committee and Chairman of the Xuan Truong People's Committee. From a soldier on the battlefield to a grassroots official, he continued contributing to the development of his hometown.
Also in Xuan Son, Tran Thong, born in 1935, rendered meritorious service to the revolution. Captured and imprisoned by enemy forces, he endured years of harsh detention. Yet his revolutionary resolve and loyalty never wavered.
Delegation, visits and encourages him.
What warms his heart is the regular care and attention shown by Party committees and authorities at all levels to people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution.
The visits and words of encouragement during national holidays, Tet and War Invalids and Martyrs' Day are not only expressions of gratitude but also a great source of spiritual encouragement for those who lived through the war.
For Tran Thong, they represent the recognition and appreciation of the Party, the State and the people for a generation that sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
Keeping the Spirit of Gratitude Alive
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Honouring people who rendered meritorious service is not confined to the month of July. Across Lam Dong Province, this commitment is reflected through policies to improve the lives of policy beneficiaries, gratitude activities, and the responsibility to preserve the memory of generations who sacrificed for the nation.
According to Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Lam Dong Provincial National Assembly Delegation, the Party and the State have always acknowledged the contributions of those who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the country. This is both a responsibility and an expression of gratitude towards previous generations.
Such gratitude helps educate today's and future generations to better understand the immense contributions of their forefathers in the cause of national liberation, protection and development.
Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam
According to Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" continually reminds today's officials of their responsibility to the Party, the State and the expectations of the people. It is also a reminder of their duty to continue building and developing the homeland while safeguarding the achievements of the revolution in the new era.
At Da Lat Martyrs' Cemetery and many other martyrs' cemeteries across the province, incense is offered throughout July as a silent tribute. Behind every grave lies a life, a family and a story of sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the nation.
Each visit to a martyrs' cemetery on War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27) brings back deep emotions for those who lived through the war. Among the rows of graves, some bear full names while others remain unidentified. For veterans, the sacrifices of their comrades remains sacred memories that can never fade.
Paying tribute also means continuing the journey of searching for fallen soldiers and bringing them home to their families. According to Duong Cong Hiep, Chairman of the Lam Dong Veterans' Association, the association regularly coordinates with Steering Committee 515 and the Lam Dong Provincial Military Command in searching for and recovering the remains of martyrs whenever information becomes available.
Veterans also meet with former comrades and witnesses who once fought in Lam Dong, the former Binh Thuan and Dak Nong provinces, Military Region 6 and Cambodia to gather additional information about missing martyrs.
Continuing the Journey of Gratitude
Every piece of information collected may rekindle hope of finding a fallen soldier. Every set of martyrs' remains recovered and returned home marks the end of a journey that has lasted for decades. It is also a way for the living to continue repaying their debt of gratitude to their comrades.
From caring for people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution, visiting policy beneficiary families, searching for and repatriating martyrs' remains, to preserving revolutionary historical sites, the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" continues to be carried forward by the Party organization, authorities and people of Lam Dong Province through concrete and meaningful actions.
July will pass, but the gratitude toward those who devoted and sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland remains. As Lam Dong continues its journey of development, that spirit of gratitude is passed on from one generation to the next, reminding today's generation to live in a way that is worthy of those who made peace possible.
The tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" continues to be upheld by the Party organization, authorities and people of Lam Dong Province.
The younger generation in Lam Dong Province continues to honour the tremendous contributions of previous generations in the struggle to defend, protect and build the nation.
Lam Dong Province is currently home to approximately 58,000 people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution and policy beneficiaries. They include more than 22,000 martyrs, around 8,000 war invalids and beneficiaries entitled to the same policies as war invalids, nearly 1,400 sick soldiers, and more than 2,600 resistance activists exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin.