Tien Phong Newspaper – During volunteer activities in My Ngai Ward (Dong Thap Province), students from the Dong Thap Student Association – Nam Can Tho University carried out various community initiatives. Notably, on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, the volunteer students restored portraits of fallen soldiers to present to their families.

A total of nine portraits of martyrs were successfully restored and personally delivered to nine policy beneficiary families, including Vietnamese Heroic Mothers in My Ngai Ward. “On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, we wanted to do this small act to express the heartfelt gratitude and respect of today’s young generation for the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the nation,” shared student Nguyen Quoc Khang - Commander of the campaign.

Student Nguyen Quoc Khang (left) presents a restored portrait of a martyr to Mr. Duong Hoang Minh.

According to Khang, restoring faded portraits requires time, patience, and meticulous attention to detail. “Every crack and every faded spot was a challenge, but also a motivation for us to persevere. Behind each portrait lies a life, a heroic story, and an endless longing,” he said.

Among the restored portraits was that of martyr Duong Van Phuong. The old photo had been worn away by time, leaving only faint outlines. When the newly restored, clear, and vivid portrait was handed to Mr. Duong Hoang Minh – the martyr’s relative – the group of volunteers could not hold back their emotions.

Mr. Minh received the portrait with teary eyes, carefully placing it beside the ancestral altar. At that moment, words fell silent, replaced by tears of profound emotion—tears of joy, reunion, and boundless gratitude. The portrait was not only a keepsake but also a sacred bridge, bringing the fallen soldier closer to his family once again.

Mr. Minh hangs the newly restored portrait beside the ancestral altar.

“There were mothers and relatives who beamed with radiant smiles—the smiles of happiness at seeing more clearly the face of their son, husband, or father who had sacrificed his life,” Khang recalled.

For Khang and his peers, restoring the portraits of martyrs was a way to revive the sacred image of national heroes in the hearts of their loved ones and the younger generation. Each portrait represents a story, a loss, and also immense pride. “When we personally handed over the portraits to the parents and relatives of the martyrs, we deeply felt the sacrifices and losses, as well as the responsibility of today’s youth to preserve historical memory,” Khang added.

In addition to restoring the portraits, the student volunteers also brought gifts of gratitude to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, war invalids, and families of those who had rendered service to the nation. Through these acts, they expressed the care, solidarity, and profound respect of the younger generation for those who sacrificed their blood for independence and freedom—so that today’s generation could grow up in peace.