I was moved to see the enlistment application written in blood.

(To Quoc) - The exhibition "Memories and Beliefs," which opened on December 19th at the Vietnam Women's Museum, showcases 200 artifacts and images about a time of youthful enthusiasm and selfless dedication to the revolution, while also inspiring today's youth to continue the nation-building process.

The program aims to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2024). The program includes three main activities: a seminar titled "There Was a Time Like That"; receiving war relics; and opening the exhibition "Memories and Beliefs".

The guests participating in the panel discussion "There Was a Time Like That".

The exhibition, organized by the Vietnam Women's Museum, is based on valuable documents and artifacts collected over the past nearly 20 years. This is the result of trips across the country to meet and listen to stories from historical witnesses and relatives of heroic martyrs who perished on the battlefields of the past.

Wartime letters

The exhibition comprises three themes: “Ready to Go,” “Belief in Victory,” and “The Day of Return.”

Some notable artifacts include: a volunteer enlistment application written in blood; a diary of a female soldier from the Truong Son Mountains about her journey to the battlefield and her years of military service; a letter from a fallen soldier to his wife, filled with longing and hope for reunion; and the harmonica that a soldier used to play the song "For the People, We Forget Ourselves" next to a time bomb to boost the morale of his comrades…

"Faced with the country still suffering and devastated, I—a young person with blood surging through my veins—cannot sit idly by. I want to contribute my strength to the cause of fighting against America and saving the country." This is an excerpt from a blood-written volunteer enlistment application by Ms. Loc Thi Hong, from Vu Thang village, Tan Tri commune, Bac Son district, Lang Son province, when she was only 17 years old.

The exhibition will help viewers answer the question of why the small country of Vietnam was able to fight and win against enemies with such economic and military power.

The exhibition also emphasizes the close relationship between the home front and the front lines, thereby sending a message to today's young generation to live with dreams, aspirations, and faith, and to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors to "Live a life worth living."

In particular, within the framework of the exhibition, the public will have the opportunity to participate in the "Letters to Loved Ones" experience, where people can write meaningful letters, conveying sincere feelings to their loved ones through letters that reflect the wartime style.

The volunteer enlistment application, written in blood by Ms. Loc Thi Hong, from Vu Thang village, Tan Tri commune, Bac Son district, Lang Son province, when she was only 17 years old (artifact number 3).

In her opening remarks, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Thu Hien stated that over the past 80 years, generations of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, with their talent, intelligence, courage, and unwavering determination to fight and win, have overcome difficulties and hardships, readily sacrificing for the Fatherland. They have built a heroic and indomitable tradition, a symbol of national unity, a heroic army of a heroic nation, and a firm source of faith for the people.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, the memories of national significance recreated through images, documents in the exhibition, and stories from special guests will be valuable resources, lessons, and a great source of encouragement for us to work together to build a happy and prosperous life in the new era, contributing to educating the younger generation about the national tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," about a glorious past that must not be forgotten, and following in the footsteps of our ancestors.

Mrs. Tran Thi Ly Nhan stands beside a family photo taken before her father left for the battlefield.

Visiting the exhibition, Ms. Tran Thi Ly Nhan (Hanoi) was moved to see a family photo proudly displayed by the museum. It was a picture of Mr. Tran Trong Hoan and Ms. Phan Thi Mien with their four children before Mr. Hoan went to the Southern battlefield in 1964. Ms. Nhan was one of the four children, only 9 years old at the time.

“My father joined the resistance and bravely sacrificed his life, leaving behind his wife and four young children. Like many other soldiers, he was willing to put aside his personal happiness to go to war. I hope that the artifacts that my family has donated to the Museum will continue to be displayed and showcased to spread the patriotic tradition and willingness to sacrifice of the previous generation,” Ms. Nhan expressed.

The exhibition "Memories and Beliefs" The museum will be open to the public from December 19th at the Vietnam Women's Museum, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/xuc-dong-xem-la-don-xin-nhap-ngu-viet-bang-mau-20241219194716651.htm