The ceremony was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the city’s local authorities.
    |
 |
|
General Phan Van Giang addressing the ceremony |
Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang also attended and delivered a speech at the ceremony.
The candle-lighting ceremony was held to commemorate 2,188 heroes and martyrs of the capital who sacrificed their blood and bones in the struggles for national liberation and reunification. The event also took place simultaneously at nine war cemeteries in the provinces of Hoa Binh, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Dak Lak, Tra Vinh and Can Tho city, as well as at others war cemeteries across 63 provinces and cities.
|
|
 |
|
Gen. Giang offering incense in tribute to heroes and martyrs |
Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang expressed his deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, generations of forefathers and heroic martyrs who laid down their lives to bring independence, freedom, and peace to the Vietnamese people.
|
|
 |
|
Troops and Youth Union members at the ceremony |
General Phan Van Giang sent sincere regards to war veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, wounded and sick soldiers, relatives of martyrs, and national contributors.
The defense minister underlined that upholding the tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source” and implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s desire, over the past 76 years, the Party and State, together with the whole political system and the society, have paid much attention to gratitude activities to improve the quality of the spiritual and material life of wounded and sick soldiers, martyrs’ relatives, and people who rendered good service to the nation.
In the time to come, Gen. Giang hoped that units and agencies inside and outside the military, and local authorities would enhance gratitude activities to support policy beneficiaries and national contributors while effectively implementing the Party and State’s policies and guidelines for people rendering service to the nation. They should focus on education work to raise young generations’ awareness of great contribution of heroes, martyrs and former generations. Thereby, youngsters will strongly promote their creative and vanguard role in the cause of national construction and defense.
|
|
 |
|
Gen. Giang presenting gifts to wounded and sick soldiers, and national contributors |
General Phan Van Giang believed that young people throughout the country will stay absolutely loyal to the Party's revolutionary ideals and goals, study and train hard to build a more prosperous and happier Vietnam.
Translated by Quynh Oanh