Heartwarming "Meal of Gratitude" for families receiving government assistance.

A highlight of this year's gratitude and remembrance activities was the Nghia Dan District Youth Union's directive to local Youth Union branches to organize "Meals of Gratitude," creating a warm and joyful atmosphere as members gathered around the family dinner table. Through this activity, young people listened to veteran revolutionaries and former Youth Volunteers recount stories of the two protracted wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, the days of bombs and bullets, and the hardships and difficulties that our people and soldiers endured to achieve the peaceful life we ​​enjoy today.

The youth union members actively participated, each doing their part. Photo: Minh Thai

In Nghia Khanh commune, amidst a joyful atmosphere unlike any other day, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Sau, over 70 years old and a former Youth Volunteer in Phuc Loc hamlet, was deeply moved. It had been a long time since her house had been filled with such cheerful laughter and conversation, as her husband had passed away early and her children were working far away. From early morning, the Youth Union members and young people went to the market and prepared meals. Without being told, everyone pitched in – some washing vegetables, others cooking, and still others sweeping and cleaning the house…

After preparing the meal, youyouth volunteersThey sat down to eat with their families, chatting and sharing the difficulties of life. During the meal, former Youth Volunteer Corps member Nguyen Thi Sau told the Youth Union members about the days of bombs and gunfire, about the hardships and difficulties that our people and soldiers had to go through to achieve the peaceful life we ​​have today.

Young members of the Youth Union in Nghia Khanh commune helped clean the house of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Sau's family. Photo: Minh Thai.

Ms. Sau did not forget to remind the Youth Union members to follow the example of the previous generation, emphasizing that even in peacetime, the Youth Union must always be a pioneering force and strive their best to successfully complete their assigned tasks. “Every year, during holidays and Youth Volunteer Day, I receive visits and encouragement from local organizations. This year, the Youth Union came to my house to cook meals and clean, and we all sat together around the table, enjoying a joyful meal. I feel very happy and it's very meaningful,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau, a former Youth Volunteer, shared emotionally.

The practical actions of the youth union members were very meaningful, contributing to a warm atmosphere and leaving positive feelings in the heart of former Youth Volunteer Corps member Nguyen Thi Sau. Only by sitting directly at that special meal and listening to her recount the heroic years of the girls who built the Truong Son Road could one truly feel the joyful, intimate, warm, and loving atmosphere.

The youth union members gathered around a celebratory meal, reminiscing about the glorious traditions of the past through songs. Photo: Minh Thai

Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang, Secretary of the Nghia Khanh Commune Youth Union, said: “In July, the Commune Youth Union focused on two holidays: the Day of Former Youth Volunteers and the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27th), organizing practical activities such as giving gifts, helping policy beneficiary families renovate and clean their houses, and cooking meals of gratitude, aiming to educate the younger generation about traditions.”The principle of remembering the source of one's blessings.of the nation."

Not only in Nghia Khanh commune, but currently, all Youth Union branches throughout Nghia Dan district are organizing gratitude meals, which, although not of great material value, carry immense educational significance.

Youth Union branches throughout the district presented gifts of gratitude to former Youth Volunteers. Photo: Minh Thai.

Mr. Truong Hung Dung, Deputy Secretary of the Nghia Dan District Youth Union, said: “July is the month of gratitude, and the District Youth Union has directed its branches to carry out many practical activities such as visiting, giving gifts, and cooking meals of gratitude at families with special circumstances. These may be small actions, but each deed and gesture of the youth union members contains a great sense of gratitude to the older generation. The older generation will forever be a beautiful image for today's youth to emulate and learn from. This activity helps each cadre, youth union member, and young person understand more about the revolutionary traditions and the noble sacrifices of previous generations. From there, they clearly see their responsibility in the cause of building and protecting the country.”

The Nghia Thinh commune youth union organized whitewashing and house cleaning for former Youth Volunteers' families in the commune. Photo: Minh Thai

"Meal of Gratitude" is one of the practical activities that the youth of Nghia Dan district wish to express their gratitude and responsibility. It is a concrete manifestation of the "Paying Gratitude" and "Remembering the Source" movements; and at the same time, it is an expression of respect and gratitude from today's generation of youth union members and young people towards the contributions of previous generations. This is also one of the important activities in the 2021 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign that the Nghia Dan District Youth Union is implementing./.