A revolutionary victory in the fight against the Americans was commemorated on November 1st at a ceremony at the Truong Bon historical site in the central province of Nghe An.
The 50th anniversary was marked by a cultural programme entitled Truong Bon-Mien Dat Huyen Thoai (Truong Bon-The Legendary Land).
The event, co-organised by Nhan Dan (People) newspaper, and Nghe An Province’s People’s Committee, and broadcast live on Vietnam Television, Nhan Dan Television and Nghe An Television, highlighted the sacrifice of soldiers and volunteers who made a great contribution to the nation’s victory against foreign invaders.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and other Party and State officials attended the event, as well as former youth volunteers, historical witnesses and family members of war martyrs who fought on the battlefield in Truong Bon.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phuc said the celebration had highlighted the glorious history and honoured the service, sacrifices and dedication of war veterans.
He spoke highly of the achievements of the people and authorities of Nghe An Province in the cause of socio-economic development as well as in preserving the historical revolutionary value by actively and effectively implementing Government policies to pay tribute to the heroes, invalids and martyrs, and supporting their families.
The event included a series of cultural and art performances about the nation’s resistance with songs and dances in commemoration of heroes and martyrs who sacrificed themselves for national salvation and unification, performed by artists from the Viet Nam Contemporary Arts Theatre and Nghe An Province’s folk singing and dancing art troupes.
At the event, representatives from Nhan Dan newspaper handed over VND20 million (US$869) to 13 martyrs’ families, war veterans and Youth Volunteer’s families; and presented gifts to the management board of the Truong Bon Historical Site and the Study Promotion Funds of Nghe An Province.
Nearly 3,000 bombs were dropped on the Truong Bon Historical Site located in My Son Ward, Do Luong District, between June and October, 1968, during the war. It was a dangerous time on the roads throughout Truong Bon to send soldiers from the North to the South for reinforcement.
A group of 14 members of the Volunteer Youth Force was established to fill bomb craters alongside the roads and guide trucks across the danger zone. In the early morning of October 31, 1968, 13 youth volunteers were killed by a bomb while they were at work.