Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission Truong Thi Mai and Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang attended the event.
An emotional reunion
Slow steps, hunched backs, and eyes filled up with tears are the images of veterans and youth volunteers participating in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign visiting the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh on a morning with clear and blue sky.
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Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission Truong Thi Mai speaks at the event. |
Getting over a distance of nearly 500 kilometers from Dien Bien Phu city to the capital of Hanoi, war veteran Pham Duc Cu, former assistant of Battalion 304 of Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 367 during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, touchingly shared that for a long time, he wished to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. However, due to his old age and weak health, he could not travel much. Hearing the news that he would have a chance to return to Hanoi for the get-together, he couldn't sleep for several nights and his heart fluttered.
Veteran Nguyen Duc Phat, former soldier of Battalion 14, Regiment 367, Division 351, was delighted at this get-together, as he had the opportunity to meet his old friends again after 70 years. “We must protect peace and freedom that our former generations fought for with their blood by all means,” he underlined.
On the morning of April 23, the hall of the Ministry of National Defense was ablaze with lights and bustling with the sound of songs praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the Fatherland. The image of leaders of the Party, State and military holding hands of war veterans and youth volunteers and taking them to their seats made all participants moved, as most of the veterans and youth volunteers present at the meeting were over 90 years old, some even over 100.
Speaking at the event, Major General Nguyen Tu, former Deputy Director of the Military Medical Academy, expressed his honor and pride to make contribution to the treatment of wounded and sick soldiers during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. He shared that apart from Vietnamese troops, he and his comrades also gave treatment to wounded French soldiers. That was a humanitarian policy of our troops that few militaries have.
Former youth volunteer Bui Thi Bin from Vu Binh commune, Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province recalls her time on the battlefield. She and the volunteer force of Cu Chinh Lan unit transported rice and military equipment to serve the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
During the meeting, all delegates watched the documentary film “The Epic of Dien Bien Phu.” Over the past 70 years, under the leadership of the Politburo, Party Central Committee, Central Military Commission, and General Vo Nguyen Giap, our troops and people overcame difficulties and hardships, especially during the 56 days of undaunted and brave fighting, to smash the strongest defensive fortification of French colonialists in Dien Bien Phu, creating the resounding Dien Bien Phu Victory that “shook the globe.” And war veterans and youth volunteers made important contribution to the victory.
Responsibility for future generations
In her remarks, Truong Thi Mai expressed her emotion at the get-together with representatives of Dien Bien Phu veterans and youth volunteers throughout the country. On this occasion, she showed her deep gratitude and respect to veteran revolutionaries, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, heroic Vietnamese mothers, families of martyrs, wounded and sick soldiers, war veterans, youth volunteers and frontline conscripted laborers who participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
The Party official reaffirmed the stature and great significance of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, leading to the end of the resistance war against the French colonialists; protecting achievements and promoting the values of the August Revolution; as well as opening up a new revolutionary period and bringing the North towards socialism while serving as a firm rear for the cause of the liberation of the South and national reunification.
The celebration of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory is an occasion for the Party, military and people to promote revolutionary traditions, patriotism, national pride and the power of the great national unity. The meeting was a practical activity to show the sentiments and gratitude towards former generations who laid down their lives for national independence and the cause of national construction and defense.
Ms. Mai also highlighted the contribution made by veterans and former youth volunteers to the achievements the country has recorded over the past nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Reform), noting her belief that they will contribute more to national construction and defense and set bright examples for young generations to follow.
Translated by Quynh Oanh