Grateful to the heroes and martyrs

After the summer activity on Thursday night, the woman in charge told us to prepare tools to clean up the martyrs cemetery of the commune this weekend. Hearing her reminder, we couldn’t help but wonder why we were cleaning the cemetery in the middle of a hot summer day?

Seeing the children wondering because they didn't understand, Ms. Lan, the person in charge, calmly said:

- Do you know any important days in July?

The children said in unison:

- This month we got to participate in the city's painting and swimming competition!

Hearing us, Ms. Lan just smiled and said:

- You forgot a very important and meaningful event in July, which is War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Hearing her say that, we were all surprised. I should remember this day the most because every year I followed my parents back to my hometown to burn incense for my grandfather. My grandfather was a martyr. He sacrificed himself in Quang Tri Citadel. My mother often told me that this place used to be a bomb bag, a fire pan. Many soldiers sacrificed their lives, their blood dyed the Thach Han River red to protect every inch of our homeland.

Saturday morning, the sun rose early. Ms. Lan was in charge of leading us to the martyrs’ cemetery of the commune. From the cemetery gate, we could smell the faint scent of incense. It seemed that someone had come to visit the martyrs’ graves early. Two green frangipani trees with white flowers stood on both sides of the gate, guarding the soldiers’ sleep. In the cemetery, each grave was in a straight line. I saw some graves with the full names and ages of the martyrs on the tombstones, but there were also graves still marked as “unknown martyrs”. Ms. Lan explained that these were the graves of heroic martyrs who had heroically sacrificed themselves on all the battlefields of the country, but their remains had not been brought back to their homeland, so they had to be left as unnamed graves.

Once we understood, without anyone telling us, we worked harder, cleaning the cemetery grounds so that in July, all levels, sectors, organizations and relatives could visit the martyrs resting here. Ms. Lan guided us to plant yellow and white chrysanthemums on each grave. Coming to this sacred and solemn place, we worked quietly, not daring to laugh or joke for fear of disturbing the resting place of the martyrs.

Soon it was time for the candle lighting ceremony to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs of the commune. This year we were assigned the task of preparing the performances for this sacred ceremony.

Last year, I was not able to participate in this ceremony in the commune, but instead followed my mother to attend the candle lighting ceremony in my mother's hometown cemetery. Under the flickering candlelight and solemn music, the wounded soldiers told us stories about the war and the fierce battles on the battlefield. The songs praising and expressing gratitude for the sacrifices of our ancestors, especially families who contributed to the revolution, moved many people.

My mother told me that my great-grandfather died when my grandfather was only 6 years old. At that time, my grandmother refused to remarry and stayed single to raise her children. My grandfather's belongings were carefully preserved by my family. There was a rusty iron mug, a hammock that had faded over time, and many other belongings that my grandfather's comrades brought back to give to my family when he passed away. Occasionally, my grandfather would take out those belongings and wipe them down and fold them carefully. These were the belongings that he knew about his father because when he passed away, my grandfather was too young and had never met him.

This year I have grown up and understand more about the meaning of War Invalids and Martyrs Day. We silently thank the sacrifices of our fathers and grandfathers. They did not spare their youth to fight to protect independence and freedom so that we can enjoy a peaceful life today.