Solemn prayer ceremony to pay tribute to 512 martyr journalists

On the evening of July 17, as part of the social activities program "Lighting the flame of gratitude - 2024", the Vietnam Journalists Association held a memorial service for martyrs, journalists and reporters at Au Lac Pagoda (Da Pagoda, Vinh City). This is the only pagoda in the country that worships 512 martyrs, journalists and reporters, who died while working on the battlefield and in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Attending the ceremony, on behalf of the Vietnam Journalists Association were comrades: Le Quoc Minh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; Nguyen Duc Loi - former Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association and former Permanent Vice Presidents of the Vietnam Journalists Association: Le Quoc Trung, Ha Minh Hue and representatives of organizations and leaders of units under the Central Office of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

On behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province, there were Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Cultural Committee, Permanent Deputy of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province, along with Venerables, monks and nuns of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province.

On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and representatives of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Military Command and representatives of relevant Departments and branches. Also attending were representatives of Vinh City leaders and hundreds of monks, nuns and Buddhists.

In the struggle for independence, national reunification and the building of socialism, following the sacred call of the Fatherland, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, millions of outstanding children of the Vietnamese people devoted their youth, fought steadfastly, heroically sacrificed their lives or suffered lifelong disabilities.

Among the millions and tens of thousands of those brave sons are our predecessors, journalists, and war reporters.

Soldier journalists have devoted their youth so that news, photos, and films about the struggle for national liberation and the protection of independence, peace, and freedom of the Fatherland can be spread throughout the country and the world.

Remembering the contributions of journalist martyrs, journalist Tran Van Hien - former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper spent more than 15 years collecting documents and making a list of more than 512 heroic journalist martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives in the wars against France and the US and in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Journalists who died while working on battlefields and on international missions during the two resistance wars against France and the US belonged to units such as: Vietnam News Agency, Voice of Vietnam Radio, People's Army Newspaper, People's Newspaper, Labor Newspaper, Liberation Radio and 23 local press agencies in the provinces... Currently, 512 journalist martyrs are worshiped at Au Lac Pagoda (Da Pagoda) in Hung Loc commune, Vinh city.

Within the framework of the program "Lighting the flame of gratitude in 2024", on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, towards the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day, the Vietnam Journalists Association solemnly held a Requiem Ceremony for the souls of journalist martyrs at Au Lac Pagoda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh emphasized that the great contributions of journalist martyrs are shining examples and a reminder for every journalist today to make more efforts, be determined to overcome difficulties, constantly innovate, be professional and make breakthroughs, and actively contribute to the cause of revolutionary journalism in Vietnam.

The President of the Vietnam Journalists Association also sent sincere thanks to the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Nghe An province, and the monks, nuns, and Buddhists of Au Lac Pagoda.

At the same time, the President of the Vietnam Journalists Association also expressed his deep gratitude to journalist Tran Van Hien, who spent more than 15 years piecing together documents and information to find the names of his fellow journalist martyrs and bring them to worship at Au Lac Pagoda, Nghe An. His steadfast love for his comrades has helped journalists have a red address for generations of journalists to remember the previous generation, thereby educating tradition, fostering revolutionary ethics, especially the young generation; building political mettle, upholding the sense of responsibility and professional ethics to fulfill political tasks well, worthy of the Party's trust and the people's expectations.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Journalists Association presented 10 gifts to students with difficult circumstances but good academic performance; presented commemorative medals to Venerable Thich Dong Tue - abbot of Au Lac pagoda and journalist Tran Van Hien.