Touching sacred "reunion"
The portrait covered with the national flag was slowly opened, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Su - the younger brother of martyr Nguyen Duy Tap was moved to tears. "Oh my god, it looks so much like him, so much like him...", he exclaimed in an emotional voice. That photo reminded him of the old memorial photo of his brother at home, but this moment was more special because it awakened so many memories of his deceased brother.
Martyr Nguyen Duy Tap was born in 1949 and enlisted in the army in March 1967, when he was not yet 19 years old. At that time, the country was in the midst of a fierce resistance war against the US.
“I still remember the last time he came home to visit his family was around 7pm one day in early 1968. He only had a short day with his family, then he left for his mission and never returned,” Mr. Su choked up as he shared.
Mr. Su not only misses his brother, but also feels deep gratitude towards the young people of today who gave him this meaningful gift. “This is a priceless spiritual gift for my family. I am truly touched,” Mr. Su said.
More than 50 years have passed since his death, and for the first time she has seen his image so clearly and vividly. In the memory of Mrs. Mao, a 7-year-old girl at that time, her brother's image is only a faint fragment. "I was still a child at that time. I only remember one time he came home on leave and took me out. After that time, he never came back...", her voice dropped, filled with sadness.
“In 1971, my brother joined the army and fought in an artillery unit and died at the age of 23. The family did not have a single photo as a souvenir. The day he left, everyone thought he would return, so no one thought of taking a souvenir photo. When he died, the family only drew a portrait from memory,” Mrs. Mao said, choking up.
Many years later, his family was fortunate to receive a black and white photo of him from a fellow soldier. Although the photo was blurry and tiny, it was a priceless keepsake and Mao kept it as a treasure for decades. It was the only image to worship and remember the brother who never returned.
Now, holding the vividly restored portrait in her hands, Mrs. Mao's tears welled up again: "I am very touched. Thank you to the restorers and the City Youth Union for giving my family this photo. Later on, my children and grandchildren will be able to see it and will remember him forever," Mrs. Mao shared.
In the choking moment when receiving the portrait of her father-in-law - martyr Do Quy Ngoc, Mrs. Ngo Thi Phien could not hold back her emotions. Her husband, the only son of the martyr, had also just passed away. She is currently in charge of the worship and incense offering. Her father-in-law sacrificed himself on the southern front when he was very young. After a long search, the family brought his remains back to be buried at the Martyrs' Cemetery of Dan Phuong commune. "Before, my father's photo was only black and white," she said in a choked voice.
The only photo of him has yellowed over time, so faded that it is not enough for the next generation to fully imagine the hero of the family. When she learned about the project to restore the martyr's photo of the Hanoi Youth Union last year, she secretly nurtured a hope and was satisfied. And then, when she received the clearly and vividly restored portrait, all the emotions that had been suppressed in her heart suddenly burst out.
“This photo is not only for worship, but also a bridge connecting the past with the present, helping generations of children and grandchildren in the family forever know the faces, remember the names and be proud of the noble sacrifices of their ancestors,” Ms. Phien expressed.
Gratitude of youth
These are just a few stories of martyrs’ relatives among the 78 families who have just received photos that the City Youth Union - Vietnam Youth Union of Hanoi City chaired, coordinated, restored and presented on the occasion of July 27 this year. From photos of martyrs that were no longer intact, torn, blurred by time, or even had no photos, through the hands of a group of young people who restored the Skyline photo, the family had a clear photo to commemorate their husband, father, and brother who died for independence.
According to Deputy Secretary in charge of the City Youth Union, Chairman of the Vietnam Student Association of Hanoi Nguyen Tien Hung, the idea of implementing the program to restore martyrs' portraits comes from the desire to carry out meaningful and creative activities to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs of the capital's youth.
By understanding the wishes of the families and the reality that the martyrs' memorial photos are no longer fully preserved over time, in May 2024, the Standing Committee of the City Youth Union determined to coordinate with units to implement the project "Restoring martyrs' photos" in the city. To date, hundreds of photos have been given to the martyrs' relatives throughout the city.
According to comrade Nguyen Tien Hung, the funding for this program comes from socialized sources and mobilized contributions from members, youth, and children in the capital. The restoration of martyrs' portraits for families is completely free of charge. The families were happy and moved when receiving the restored portraits. That has shown the practical significance of this activity.
“Each photo is a moment of reviving memories, recreating the youth of soldiers, who forever remain in their twenties for the independence and freedom of the nation. This is not only a gift of gratitude, but also a sacred affirmation: Today's generation will never forget the image and sacrifice of the heroic martyrs who devoted their entire youth to the Fatherland,” said the Deputy Secretary in charge of the Hanoi Youth Union.
These meaningful reconstructed photos not only express gratitude but also demonstrate the affection and responsibility of the youth of the capital. Through each recreated moment, today's generation has clearly demonstrated the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source" towards the heroic martyrs, those who devoted their youth to the cause of national liberation.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khoanh-khac-nghen-ngao-khi-gap-lai-liet-si-710580.html
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