Attending the ceremony was State President Nguyen Minh Triet; lieutenant-general Dong Sy Nguyen and former young volunteer soldiers nationwide. On the side of Quang Binh province, there was Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council Luong Ngoc Binh; Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Phan Lam Phuong and representatives of departments and branches at provincial levels.

At the ceremony, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Former Young Volunteer Soldiers Nguyen Tien Nang highlighted the young volunteer force’s contributions to the nation during the past 59 years. He said that in whatever the circumstances the force performed its vanguard role and demonstrated its firm resolve to fulfil its assigned tasks. During 1965-1975, more than 133,000 Youth Union members joined the young volunteer force to march to the southern front. They dug and built more than 2,000km of roads and ensured smooth traffic along the legendary Truong Son trail – the sole road at that time for transport of ammunition and essentials from north to south. Thousands of them laid down their lives during fierce bombardments while working on these roads. More than 1,100 young martyrs of Construction Board 67 – the precursor of the present-day Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CIENCO 5) – were buried at Tho Loc and Van Ninh cemeteries in Quang Binh province.

Addressing the ceremony, State President Nguyen Minh Triet emphasised that this was a meaningful activity, expressing deep gratitude to young volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their youths for national liberation. President Nguyen Minh Triet also asked sectors and localities to pay more attention to improving the living conditions of war invalids, relatives of war martyrs and those who rendered great services to the nation. He expressed his hope that more businesses will take part in the ‘Paying debt of gratitude’ movement to support these social policy beneficiaries.

On this occasion, the Book titled "Legend of Vietnam Young Volunteer Soldiers", which recorded the young volunteer force’s great contributions to the nation, was offered to war martyrs’ venerated suols. CIENCO 5 granted VND4 billion to build 183 houses of gratitude, worth VND20 million each, for former young volunteer soldiers of 17 provinces and cities nationwide and presented VND400 million to the Vietnam Association for Former Young Volunteer Soldiers.

Some photos at the memorial ceremony:

Delegates attending the memorial ceremony

Offering the Book to express gratitude to young volunteer soldiers at the ceremony

State President presents the letter "Tam" to CIENCO 5 businesses

Representatives of Association for Former Young Volunteer Soldiers of provinces receive houses of gratitude at the ceremony

A musical performance to commemorate young volunteer soldiers

 Reported by N.H - Translated by N.Y