Offering incense and flowers to commemorate 81st founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army

(ĐN) - On the occasion of the 81st  anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 36th anniversary of the All-People National Defence Day (December 22), on the morning of December 22, a delegation led by Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Commander of the Provincial Military Command; and Colonel Bui Dang Ninh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, paid tribute by offering incense and laying wreaths in honor of President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and distinguished generals of Southern Vietnam at the Central Office for Southern Vietnam Base (1961–1962) located in War Zone D, as well as at the Temple dedicated to General Vo Nguyen Giap and Southern generals in Tan An Commune, Dong Nai Province.

Provincial leaders and delegates solemnly observe the tribute ceremony in memory of President Ho Chi Minh at the Temple of General Vo Nguyen Giap and Southern generals. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Attending the memorial ceremony at the temple were also Tran Van Mi, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Dong Nai Province, along with other delegates.

Tran Van Mi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Dong Nai Province offeres incense at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at the Temple of General Vo Nguyen Giap and Southern generals. Photo: Nguyet Ha

In front of the spirits of the great President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and the heroic martyrs, the delegates reviewed the proud 81-year tradition of building, fighting, victory, and development of the Vietnam People’s Army and the heroic armed forces of Dong Nai Province.

Delegates offer incense at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at the Temple of General Vo Nguyen Giap and Southern generals. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Colonel Bui Dang Ninh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Dong Nai Provincial Military Command, offers incense at the Ma Da Martyrs’ Cemetery. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Colonel Nguyen Anh Duc, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Military Command and Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Command, offers incense in tribute to fallen soldiers. Photo: Thanh Tu

81 years ago, on December 22, 1944, in Cao Bang Province, President Ho Chi Minh issued the directive to establish the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army team, the predecessor of the Vietnam People’s Army, under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap. For the past 81 years, under the leadership, guidance, and training of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam People's Army has continuously matured and grown stronger, defeating imperialist invaders and winning independence, freedom, and happiness for the people…

In this solemn moment, leaders of the Provincial Military Command and delegates observed a moment of silence to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and the heroic martyrs, and pledged loyalty to the goals and ideals of the Communist Party of Vietnam; to steadfastly follow the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the people; to carry forward the glorious tradition of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army; to unite and foster proactive creativity; to build a clean and strong Provincial Military Party Organization; to develop strong, regular, and modern provincial armed forces; and to successfully fulfill all assigned tasks.

Delegates light incense at the graves of martyrs. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Also on the morning of December 22, at the Memorial Stele House honoring officers and soldiers of Border Post 801 (now the Hoa Lu International Border Gate Border Post), the Party Committee and Command of the Provincial Border Guard, led by Colonel Nguyen Anh Đuc, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Military Command and Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Command, offered incense to commemorate 35 martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives in the cause of protecting the border, the Fatherland, and the people.

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, officers and soldiers of the Provincial Border Guard offered incense and flowers, expressing their profound gratitude for the great sacrifices of the heroic martyrs, while pledging to continue upholding the heroic traditions of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Border Guard Force, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and border security in the new situation.

By Nguyet Ha, Thanh Tu - Translated by Thien Kim, Thu Ha