GREEN SUMMER 2025: TRIBUTE CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY – HONORING THE FALLEN, EMBRACING THE LIVING

In commemoration of the 78th War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947 – July 27, 2025), the youth of the Vietnam Aviation Academy simultaneously organized candlelight tribute ceremonies at two sites of profound historical significance: the Phú Thọ Hòa Tunnels Martyrs’ Cemetery (Ho Chi Minh City) and the Martyrs’ Memorial in Đắk Ơ Commune (Đồng Nai Province).

The sacred flame of remembrance illuminated national pride on the evening of July 27 – a solemn journey of gratitude that endures through generations.

On the night of July 26, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere, Green Summer volunteers of the Vietnam Aviation Academy held a candlelight tribute at the Phú Thọ Hòa Tunnels – a place that bears witness to the heroic sacrifices of revolutionaries during the nation’s resistance against foreign aggression. This activity, carried out under the program “Gratitude in the Community,” reflected the Academy’s youth’s respect and profound appreciation, with the participation of numerous volunteers and local residents.

The monument stands tall under the sky, immortalizing the heroic image of those who remained steadfast at the Phu Tho Ammunition Depot.

Amid the shimmering backdrop, fresh flowers are solemnly laid in tribute to the fallen martyrs. In the solemn atmosphere, every step, every word of remembrance evokes the great sacrifices and immeasurable losses endured for the independence and freedom of the nation. Today’s generation pays tribute not only with sincere offerings but also through a steadfast commitment to responsibility, duty, and deep gratitude.

In that moment of silence, a sprig of pure white chrysanthemum becomes a heartfelt tribute to the heroes and martyrs—a meaningful journey of remembrance that enriches the youth of the Academy.

At the same time, in Dak O commune (Dong Nai province), the Standing Force of the Dak O Commune Front organized a candlelight tribute at the local Martyrs’ Memorial. Notably, this year’s ceremony took place under unfavorable weather—heavy rain falling throughout the night. Yet the downpour could not extinguish the flame of remembrance and gratitude for the countless martyrs who had laid down their lives. Amid the rain, young soldiers carefully lit each candle, their steady flames glowing in the darkness as symbols of eternal memory.

The soldiers gently lit the candles, one by one, beneath the rain-soaked night sky.

The program was attended by representatives of local armed forces: the Border Guard Station of Bac O, the Commune Police, the Commune Self-Defense Militia, and the Dak O Commune Military Command. Together, they joined the young volunteers of the Green Summer Campaign to honor the martyrs. Despite the rain, the flames of remembrance continued to shine brightly at the memorial site.

In the solemn atmosphere, the soldiers bowed their heads in reverence before the heroic martyrs.

In the silence, the candles of remembrance were lit by the hands and hearts of youth—the young volunteers of the Green Summer Campaign from the Vietnam Aviation Academy. Each glowing flame was a heartfelt message of gratitude to the heroic martyrs—those who had fallen for the independence and freedom of the nation.

The image of young people bending low to shield the flames in the rain, protecting every small candle from gusts of wind and water, while clasping hands tightly to keep the light alive, became the most moving and sacred moment of the night. Without complaint, without hesitation, every flicker of light carried a message of remembrance and respect, spreading across every corner of the space.

Beneath the cold rain, the young volunteers held fast to their flames—just as the martyrs once held firm to their faith amid storms of bullets and bombs.

The candlelight that evening not only brought warmth amidst the rain but also illuminated the hearts of young people with pride and gratitude toward the homeland. It was this very ideal that the Green Summer Volunteer Campaign has always aspired to — nurturing a generation of youth filled with compassion, resilience, and a willingness to serve.

The “Tribute of Gratitude” journey is not merely a ceremonial gathering; it is a heartfelt promise from the youth — to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers, to build and protect the homeland with unwavering dedication.

In particular, the volunteers were deeply moved to meet two relatives from Bac Ninh who had come to the southern land of Dak O in hopes of tracing the remains of their father, who had laid down his life on the battlefield during the fiercest days of war. Though the search has not yet brought them the desired outcome, the encounter, filled with emotion and solidarity, became a moment of shared remembrance between the younger generation and those who carry the sacred memories of loss and sacrifice.

Two family members from Bac Ninh traveled to the Dak O Martyrs’ Memorial with the wish of retracing the footsteps of their father, who had fallen in the battlefields of Dak O.

This year’s candlelight vigil was not only a commemorative activity but also an occasion to educate young people about national traditions, instilling in them a strong sense of responsibility. Within the framework of the 2025 Green Summer Volunteer Campaign, students of the Vietnam Aviation Academy once again ignited the flame of remembrance through meaningful actions, embodying the age-old virtue of the Vietnamese people: “When drinking water, remember its source.”

In the quiet of the night, the candles burned brightly — a symbol of eternal gratitude.

Each flickering flame carried a profound message of remembrance and faith in the younger generation, who will continue to write new chapters filled with compassion, devotion, and a spirit of service to the community.

Every candle was a sincere tribute, a deep expression of remembrance for those who gave their lives for the nation’s peace.

Once again, the season of remembrance has returned — solemn, heartfelt, and filled with pride. In the shimmering glow of candlelight, the image of young volunteers bowing before the memorials of martyrs stood as an unspoken pledge: to live worthy of the sacrifices of their forefathers, and to forever preserve the sacred flame of patriotism within their hearts — a flame that will never fade.

ĐTN&HSV – HTT