During these days of July, joining the nationwide "remembering the source of the water we drink" activities, the student volunteer team of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Soc Son - Hanoi has carried out practical activities to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2011).On the afternoon of July 26, 2011, representatives from the leadership of Phu Cuong commune (Soc Son district, Hanoi) collaborated with the volunteer student team from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in the commune to visit and present gifts to families of war invalids and martyrs on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27). Comrade Nguyen Van Xa – Secretary of the Youth Union of the commune – stated: “The entire Soc Son district has 6 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, and Phu Cuong commune alone has 3 of them. The number of families of war invalids and martyrs in the commune is also quite large.” This year, 18 families of war invalids and martyrs in the commune received gifts on this special occasion.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Van (96 years old) and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Chinh (94 years old) are two Vietnamese Heroic Mothers from Thuy Huong village, Phu Cuong commune. Both have a single son who sacrificed his life for the Fatherland. At their advanced age, they remain healthy and mentally alert, living happy and fulfilling lives with their daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Ms. Vu Huyen Trang, the team leader of the volunteer team from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, presented gifts to the two elderly women on behalf of the entire team. The two women were deeply moved by the concern shown by the People's Committee of the commune and the Youth Union, and expressed their gratitude to the Party and Government for creating all the conditions for the people to live in prosperity and happiness as they do today. Also in Thuy Huong village, Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh – a disabled veteran of category 3/4 – happily said: “Every year, my family is honored to welcome the commune leaders and young people who come to give gifts. I only hope that the young people here will all try their best in their studies to be worthy of the sacrifices of the heroic martyrs.” Mrs. Nguyen Thi Vinh – 68 years old, mother of martyr Trinh Van Son – advised: “You young people are in your twenties, daring to sacrifice and dedicate yourselves to the country is precious and very worthy of respect.” Other families of policy beneficiaries also expressed their deep gratitude to the government and wished the Student Volunteer Team of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to successfully complete their mission, using the youthful energy and enthusiasm of their twenties to build the nation.
Prior to this, from the very first days of their presence in the area, many groups of student volunteers from the University in the communes had successively organized labor sessions to clean and maintain the martyrs' cemeteries and prepare for the candlelight vigil. On the evening of July 26th, the People's Committee, the Veterans' Association, and the Youth Union of Thanh Xuan, Tan Dan, Minh Tri, and Hien Ninh communes coordinated with the Student Volunteer Team of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in the communes to organize the Candlelight Vigil at the local martyrs' cemeteries.
In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Loi – a member of the Veterans Association of Thanh Xuan commune – summarized the history of our nation's struggle against foreign invaders, expressing profound gratitude to those who dedicated their youth to the independence and freedom of the country. Following the speech by Mr. Nguyen Van Sang – Secretary of the Thanh Xuan Commune Youth Union – 35 volunteer students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with dozens of village secretaries and leaders, spread out across the cemetery to light warm candles on each grave of the martyrs. Just 15 minutes later, the entire cemetery was illuminated by candlelight, bringing peace to the hearts of the brave soldiers who had returned to their Motherland. Quynh Chi – a student from the K54 International Studies program – shared: “This is my first time participating in this activity. I feel deeply moved and more grateful to the heroic martyrs than ever before.”
