• A loving home for the relatives of fallen police officers.
  • Shared capital, deep bonds of camaraderie.
  • An exemplary veteran, living a life of integrity and loyalty.

The caretakers of the provincial martyrs' cemetery located in Hoa Binh commune are sweeping and cleaning the cemetery grounds.

Ca Mau province has two provincial Martyrs' Cemetery, with over 5,000 graves of martyrs. The provincial Martyrs' Cemetery (located in Hoa Binh commune) covers nearly 10 hectares, with 3,942 graves of martyrs from all over the country, including nearly 500 graves of unknown martyrs. The cemetery management board consists of 14 people, including 9 laborers who are responsible for trimming trees, sweeping, and cleaning the graves. Whenever you visit the provincial Martyrs' Cemetery, you can easily see the diligent cemetery caretakers meticulously tending to the graves of the heroic martyrs , offering incense, sweeping, and caring for each one.

Take care of the plants and trees around the cemetery area.

Mr. Le Hoang Giang (55 years old, Hoa Binh commune) begins his day early. People around the provincial Martyrs' Cemetery are very familiar with the rhythmic sound of his broom at dawn. This quiet work seems to bring warmth and comfort to the heroic martyrs resting here.

Having worked as a cemetery caretaker for over 10 years, Mr. Giang knows by heart the names, hometowns, and locations of every fallen soldier. Besides guiding the families of the martyrs during their visits and offering incense, his daily tasks include weeding, cleaning the graves, collecting trash, trimming, and caring for the ornamental plants. For graves with unknown names, he treats them like family members, meticulously caring for them so that the spirits of the unidentified soldiers may find solace while their loved ones remain.

“I have more than 10 relatives resting in peace at the provincial Martyrs' Cemetery. During my visits to light incense and tend to their graves, I saw many unmarked graves, with no relatives visiting, and it saddened me deeply. From then on, I decided to dedicate myself to the job of cemetery caretaker so that I could both care for the graves and offer incense to the heroes every day. This is both my duty and my way of showing gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives and blood to win back the peaceful life we ​​have today,” Mr. Giang confided.

Following in his father's footsteps as a cemetery caretaker at the Provincial Martyrs' Cemetery (located in An Xuyen ward), 33-year-old Dao Huynh Hai Trieu has been proud of his chosen profession for over five years. Every day, in addition to cleaning, trimming trees, changing the sand in incense burners, arranging flowers, and assisting the relatives of fallen soldiers, he also serves as a security guard. He is on duty 24/7 at the Provincial Martyrs' Cemetery. Trieu shared: “Every day, I and two colleagues look after 1,100 graves of fallen soldiers. Just seeing the cemetery clean and tidy, so that the relatives of the fallen soldiers feel at ease when they visit, is a great joy for us, and we vow to dedicate our lives to this.”

Hai Trieu (far left) and his colleagues arrange flowers and tidy up the graves of fallen soldiers.

Each year, the provincial cemeteries for fallen soldiers welcome numerous delegations of officials, organizations, and individuals who come to pay their respects, offer incense, and express their gratitude to the heroes and martyrs. On these occasions, the workload of the cemetery caretakers increases two to three times compared to normal days. They arrive at the cemetery around 5 a.m. and return home late at night, but everyone is happy, not only because of their responsibility but also because of their heartfelt respect and gratitude to their ancestors who bravely fought, sacrificed, and fell for peace, independence, and the happiness of the people.

Although the job of a cemetery caretaker is not overly strenuous, it requires diligence and dedication because the pay is low. Many people only stay for a short time before finding other work. Only those who love the profession and are proud of it can remain committed to this simple, quiet, yet meaningful job.

These days, along with the rest of the country, officials and people of Ca Mau province are commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs with countless acts of gratitude and appreciation. This is also an opportunity for cemetery caretakers to welcome many relatives of martyrs, listening to touching stories about the deceased with utmost sincerity. These stories deeply move the caretakers, inspiring them to strive even harder in their work so that the spirits of the martyrs may rest in eternal peace.

Tu Quyen

Source: https://baocamau.vn/nghia-tinh-nguoi-quan-trang-a121012.html