Practical ways to show gratitude to those who have made contributions.

In the festive atmosphere leading up to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, the work of showing gratitude to those who have contributed to the nation through practical actions is always given special attention. This affirms the tradition of "repaying gratitude" and "remembering the source when drinking water" of our people.

A journey home filled with warmth and affection.

Lieutenant General Hoang Khanh Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, presents the DNA test results to the relatives of three martyrs' families. Photo: Thu Minh

One of the practical activities in honoring those who have rendered meritorious service is to assist the relatives of martyrs in searching for their remains, conducting DNA testing to identify them, and helping the families bring the remains back to their hometowns for convenient care of their graves.

The "journey home" of martyr Nguyen Van Thuong is a vivid testament to this concern. Having sacrificed his life in 1971 in Quang Binh, after 54 years of searching by his family, with the involvement of military units, volunteer groups, the Department of War Invalids and Martyrs ( Ministry of Interior ), the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, the National Forensic Institute, etc., in the search and DNA testing, the remains of martyr Nguyen Van Thuong were received by his family and the authorities and buried at Doc La Cemetery (Yen Vien commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi) in mid-April 2025.

The ceremony for receiving and burying the remains of martyr Nguyen Van Thuong was solemnly and movingly organized by the Ngoc Thuy ward authorities (Long Bien district, Hanoi ). Major Nguyen Thi Mien, the only daughter of martyr Nguyen Van Thuong, expressed: “My father has returned to his family, to the embrace of the authorities and the local people, in a very solemn and heartwarming ceremony. This gratitude is truly immense.”

Speaking with a reporter from Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Colonel Nguyen Hung Phong, a disabled veteran (category 3/4) from Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, shared: “Disabled veterans like us always appreciate the care and gratitude shown by the government and the community towards those who have contributed to the nation. This year, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, I received gifts from the President , the district, and the ward. In particular, I participated in the meeting to express gratitude and present gifts to those who have contributed to the nation, organized by the district, which was very meaningful and heartwarming. It was even more touching because, despite many changes in organizational models, the responsible departments still organized the program, presented gifts, and provided policies and benefits to us, ensuring that the work of showing gratitude to those who have contributed to the nation was carried out well and thoughtfully. These days, I remember my comrades who sacrificed their lives even more. I feel fortunate to still be with my family, and I hope the State will continue to improve policies and benefits for martyrs and their families, because these families are so grateful.” "The martyrs have lost their children, which means they have lost their source of labor, and many families are still struggling."

Easing the Pain of War

Specifically regarding the activities of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, since the beginning of the year, the Association has organized two rounds of delivering DNA test results to five families of martyrs, received and guided the application process for searching for martyrs for 51 cases, requested DNA testing for eight cases, facilitated information exchange for four cases; transported remains by train for three cases and participated in transporting seven martyrs back to their hometown cemeteries.

The affiliated associations and branches have received applications and requests for correction of information on 343 martyrs; assisted in DNA testing for 17 cases; and coordinated with local authorities to provide information on martyrs to over 6,000 individuals who requested it. In addition, they have coordinated the transportation of 60 remains of martyrs for burial in their hometowns' martyrs' cemeteries.

Furthermore, many meaningful activities to express gratitude and give gifts to those who have rendered meritorious services have been implemented by authorities at all levels. Notably, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country, those who have rendered meritorious services received gifts from the President with a total budget of over 834 billion VND, at a rate of 500,000 VND per person, disbursed once on April 30, 2025. Provinces and cities nationwide are also focusing on giving gifts to those who have rendered meritorious services, in addition to gifts from the President, there are also practical gifts from the localities.

In Hanoi, alongside ensuring the full and timely payment of allowances to nearly 80,000 war veterans and their relatives who are receiving monthly preferential allowances, and in anticipation of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th this year, the city aims to raise 21.87 billion VND for the "Gratitude and Repayment" Fund, award 1,102 "compassionate" savings accounts (with a minimum deposit of 3 million VND per account); repair and upgrade 28 memorials to martyrs; and support the repair and upgrading of housing for 149 war veteran families. In addition, the city will organize visits, meetings, and gift-giving to war veterans; units caring for and nursing war veterans inside and outside the city; and production and business units run by war invalids and sick soldiers.

Having been involved in honoring those who have rendered meritorious service for many years, Lieutenant General Hoang Khanh Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, shared that practical daily actions, through caring for wounded soldiers, relatives of martyrs, and those who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution, have contributed to educating revolutionary traditions and patriotism in society, especially among the younger generation. From there, the positive effects of the work of honoring those who have rendered meritorious service spread, easing the pain of war...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thiet-thuc-tri-an-nguoi-co-cong-700577.html