Deep program "Gratitude - River of Fire and Flowers"

“Gratitude - The River of Fire and Flowers” ​​recalls the tragic past along the Long Dai River, one of the rivers that struggled under bombs and bullets to maintain the traffic artery connecting the North and South.

On the evening of September 18, at Truong Ninh commune, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province organized the program "Gratitude - The River of Fire and Flowers" and the Ceremony to announce the decision and receive the certificate of ranking the National Monument "Long Dai Ferry Terminal II - the place where 16 youth volunteers sacrificed their lives (September 1972)."

Attending the ceremony were Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong; leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Tri province; leaders of the People's Committee of Hung Yen province, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hung Yen province, relatives of 16 Youth Volunteers who sacrificed at Long Dai Ferry Terminal II and a large number of people in Quang Tri province.

Quang Tri is a land marked by blood and tears, struggling under layers of bombs and bullets during the resistance war. The art and political program "Words of gratitude - The river of fire and flowers" aims to express gratitude to the heroic sacrifices of the army, youth volunteers, militia... at Long Dai II ferry, one of the fire coordinates in the Central region during the years of resistance war, protecting the Fatherland and unifying the country.

The war has been over for more than 50 years, along with historical sites such as Quang Tri Citadel with 81 days and nights of fire, Hien Luong-Ben Hai banks dividing the country for more than 20 years, Khe Sanh, Doc Mieu, Con Tien... Long Dai II ferry is "where enemy bomb fragments are thicker than gravel" - one of the most fierce "fire coordinates" on the legendary Truong Son route.

Located on Route 15, this is not only a simple traffic bridge but also a strategic "throat" and "bloodline", deciding the survival of the supply line from the Northern rear to the Southern front, Laos and Cambodia.

At this fiery coordinate, the US imperialists dropped hundreds of tons of bombs and ammunition, turning Long Dai into a "bomb bag", a fierce "fire pan". This place witnessed countless bloodshed, especially the tragic sacrifice of 16 Youth Volunteers of Company C130 (from Thai Binh, now Hung Yen province) in September 1972 while on duty to open the road, transport across the river, and maintain the traffic flow.

A performance at the program "Gratitude - River of Fire and Flowers." (Photo: Ta Chuyen/VNA)

On September 9, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to rank this place as a National Historical Relic - the place where 16 Youth Volunteers of Company C130 sacrificed their lives. This is an affirmation of the great value of this place in the history of resistance; at the same time, it creates a foundation for the relic to become a "red address" for educating traditions, paying tribute to martyrs, and developing cultural, historical and spiritual tourism in the future.

The program “Gratitude - The River of Fire and Flowers” ​​is a meaningful activity, demonstrating the nation's morality of “When drinking water, remember its source”, affirming the eternal value of history, contributing to making Quang Tri a cultural - historical - spiritual destination rich in attraction in the hearts of domestic and international tourists.

“Gratitude - The River of Fire and Flowers” ​​recalls the tragic past along the Long Dai River, one of the rivers that struggled under bombs and bullets to maintain the traffic artery connecting the North and South.

“Fire Flowers” ​​evokes the image of brave, enthusiastic soldiers, radiating strong will, shining brightly in the fire. The fire from enemy bombs and bullets created the fire of the heart, the fire of the spirit in each soldier, crystallizing into brilliant fire flowers. And the image of “Fire Flowers” ​​in peacetime is likened to an immortal flower, commemorating the martyrs who heroically sacrificed.

In the sacred space of the art program “Words of Gratitude - The River of Fire and Flowers,” the songs “Footsteps on the Truong Son Range,” “Fire and Smoke in Binh Tri Thien,” “Eastern Truong Son - Western Truong Son”... resounded like an immortal epic.

Viewers could not hide their emotions when reliving the memories of a time of war and war, where the footsteps of youth volunteers paved the way, overcoming bombs and bullets to connect the rear and the front lines.

From the heroic melodies to the heartfelt lyrics, the program not only depicts the strong will and indomitable spirit of the 16 young men who sacrificed at Long Dai Ferry Terminal II in particular and the previous generation, but also honors the silent sacrifices, the willingness to dedicate their youth to the Fatherland. That is a sacred source of inspiration, reminding today's generation to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, to keep the faith and noble ideals of the Vietnamese people./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/sau-lang-chuong-trinh-loi-tri-an-dong-song-hoa-lua-post1062705.vnp