 President Vo Van Thuong, other leaders and former leaders of the Party and State visited Hang Duong Cemetery. Photo: VOV
|
At Hang Duong Cemetery in Con Dao of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, President Thuong also offered incense in memory of Party General Secretary Le Hong Phong and Martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces Vo Thi Sau.
Con Dao district leaders told the commemoration ceremony that Con Dao is a sacred land marking the resilient and indomitable struggle of Vietnamese people during the two resistance wars to defend the Fatherland. Tens of thousands of outstanding people heroically died or were wounded here. They lived and fought for the noble ideal of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom".
 President Vo Van Thuong and the delegation offered incense at Hang Duong Cemetery. Photo: VOV
|
After the incense offering ceremony, President Thuong attended the death anniversary of martyrs, revolutionary soldiers and patriotic compatriots who died in Con Dao.
Hang Duong Cemetery is the resting place of more than 1,920 revolutionary soldiers. Con Dao Temple registered 2,284 martyrs on the stone stele.
Later Wednesday at the People's Committee of Con Dao district, President Vo Van Thuong met with Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers captured by the enemy and 76 former political prisoners of Con Dao, who represent more than 5,000 imprisoned revolutionaries and soldiers.
Mr. Thuong expressed his recognition of their merits and sacrifices for national liberation. He said,“Although being jailed in a place considered a hell on earth, it was here that revealed and clarified the resilient revolutionary qualities of the soldiers and patriotic compatriots, who turned the place of hard labor into a school to educate patriotism, revolutionary spirit, and determination to fight for national liberation. The stories of the aunts and uncles today have shown the political prisoners’ indomitable will and faithful love. I hope you will be an example for the young people to study and follow.”
 President Vo Van Thuong and other leaders and former leaders of the Party and State offered incense at Hang Duong Cemetery. Photo: VNA
|
The President affirmed that the Party and State always take care of more than 9 million people with meritorious services, demonstrating the tradition of repaying gratitude and remembering the source when drinking water. He asked for more policies to ensure a better life for people with meritorious services and promote gratitude activities, especially the gathering of martyrs' remains and repair of cemeteries and graves.
On the same day, President Vo Van Thuong visited and presented gifts to former political prisoners and policy families living in Con Dao.