The memorial service was attended by comrades: Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Truong My Hoa, former Vice President; Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Party Central Committee member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Nguyen Van Duoc, Party Central Committee member, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Dang Minh Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Nguyen Van Tho, Standing Committee member of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
Also attending the ceremony were former leaders of the Party and State; former leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and leaders of many departments and branches of Ho Chi Minh City.
At the beginning of the memorial service, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van rang nine bells from the great bell at Con Dao Temple.
In a sacred and emotional atmosphere, delegates held a flag-saluting ceremony and observed a minute of silence to commemorate their ancestors, heroic martyrs , and patriots resting in Con Dao.
Preserving the immortal memory of great sacrifices
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc shared that July 27th has been deeply engraved in the memory and heart of every Vietnamese person throughout the 78 years of implementing the nation's ethics of "When drinking water, remember its source" and "When eating fruit, remember the person who planted the tree".
And July 27 is also the death anniversary of more than 20,000 soldiers, patriots and countless outstanding children of the nation with steadfast, indomitable will, refusing to surrender, who turned into dust, their bodies buried in the mother earth.
“Today, the children of the City named after beloved Uncle Ho return to Con Dao special zone, always steadfast, full of gratitude, keeping the fire of tradition, looking for the relics of Pier 914, Ma Thien Lanh Bridge, So Tieu, Co Ong, Ben Dam, Hon Cau, Bay Canh - works built with the blood and bones of heroes and heroic soldiers.
All are still there, bearing the mark of the past and a reminder for the future to preserve the immortal memory of the great sacrifices," comrade Nguyen Van Duoc shared.
On behalf of the Party Committee, government and people of Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation respectfully offered incense to commemorate, worship and offer their wholehearted devotion to the heroic martyrs and patriotic compatriots.
Following the incense smoke, we respectfully hope that our ancestors who opened Con Dao, the heroes, martyrs, and children who have remained here will return to visit their homeland and bless the country with eternal beauty and eternal peace for the people.
"I promise you:
Each stone of Con Dao will become a brick to build the Fatherland.
Every tear of the past becomes a fresh spring of water for future generations.
Every sigh becomes an immortal song
Best regards!
- Comrade Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee
So that memories are not forgotten
At the memorial service, Ms. Hoang Thi Khanh, a former political prisoner in Con Dao who was imprisoned for 5 years in “hell on earth”, quietly placed incense on the martyrs’ altar, her eyes filled with tears. Every time she returns to Con Dao, the fierce memories come flooding back as if it were yesterday.
In the first years after liberation, Ms. Khanh often returned to Con Dao to express her gratitude to those who remained.
Gradually, from individual trips, the Liaison Committee of former political prisoners and prisoners of war in Ho Chi Minh City was formed, connected and supported by local authorities and mass organizations.
“Every year, I come back here. Every time I come out, I relive the days of fighting, the long nights in prison, the drops of blood shed for my ideals. And it is also a time when I feel grateful that I am still alive, to see my people today free and happy. That is also the dream of many people who were in Con Dao prison, to see a day of peace , freedom, and prosperity for the people,” Ms. Khanh was moved.
Mrs. Khanh choked up when talking about the changes in Con Dao today. From a gloomy island, where tens of thousands of patriots were imprisoned, it has now blossomed with new life. The gloomy prison camps of the past are now relics that are solemnly and carefully preserved.
Along the coastal roads, she saw people's faces brighter, smiles warmer, life improving day by day.
For Ms. Khanh, the fact that Ho Chi Minh City organized a solemn death anniversary is not only a recognition and gratitude, but also a reminder for today's young generation to live gratefully and patriotically.
“The death anniversary organized by the Party, State, and Ho Chi Minh City government is not only to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives, but also to help children understand that the country is what it is today thanks to tens of thousands of people who have died in many different ways. We must live a worthy life and strive to continue to develop the country,” Ms. Khanh shared.
Amidst the lingering incense smoke at the sacred temple, the former female prisoner silently bowed her head. Her hair was now white, she only hoped that Con Dao would forever be a symbol of patriotism, and that sacred memory would never be forgotten.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/le-gio-tuong-niem-anh-hung-liet-si-va-dong-bao-yeu-nuoc-hy-sinh-tai-con-dao-post805671.html
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