The Association of Soldiers of Quang Tri Citadel was established in 1972.

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 13th, at the Military Region IV Auditorium, the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Association of Soldiers of Quang Tri Citadel held the Congress of Delegates of the Association of Soldiers of Quang Tri Citadel in 1972 in Nghe An province.

Attending the congress were: Major General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam - Commander of Military Region IV; Le Xuan Dai, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the National Association of Soldiers of Quang Tri Citadel and other provinces; representatives of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; leaders of several departments, agencies, and units; and 300 delegates from districts, cities, and towns.

Major General Nguyen Tan Cuong delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Delegates attending the Congress.

According to Decision No. 4770 of the People's Committee of Nghe An Province, regarding the establishment of the Association of Soldiers of the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972 in Nghe An Province, the Association has legal personality, its own seal, and a separate bank account. The principles of organization and operation of the Association are implemented according to Article 3 of Government Decree No. 45, 2010, and it is also under the management of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghe An Province.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai delivered a speech guiding the congress.

Regarding its mission and purpose, the Association of Soldiers of the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972 in Nghe An Province is a voluntary organization that brings together cadres and soldiers of the revolutionary armed forces who directly fought and participated in supporting the 81 days and nights of defending the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972, and who are currently living and working in Nghe An Province. The Association's nhiệm vụ is to encourage, visit, and support each other in life. At the same time, it participates in activities demonstrating camaraderie and mutual support, such as paying tribute to fallen soldiers, searching for and recovering their remains, promoting revolutionary traditions, and enhancing patriotism, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the province's political tasks and the cause of protecting the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Representatives of the Association of Soldiers who fought at the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972 presented gifts to the relatives of the soldiers.

In 1972, the battle to defend Quang Tri Citadel was extremely fierce and arduous. During 81 days and nights of fighting, more than 10,000 of our soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives, and tens of thousands were wounded, including many sons and daughters of Nghe An province. In this battle, the US and its allies mobilized maximum naval, land, and air forces, along with many of the most modern weapons and war equipment available at the time, in an attempt to break the resistance and fighting spirit of our army and people. They dropped over 328,000 tons of bombs and ammunition on Quang Tri Citadel, equivalent to the destructive power of seven atomic bombs dropped by the US on Japan in 1945.

Introducing the 35-member Executive Committee.

The congress elected 35 delegates, including 11 delegates to the Executive Committee of the Association of Soldiers of the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Can was elected Chairman of the association.

Pham Ngan