Plan to restore the relief of Capture of American pilot John McCain

Tay Ho district said that the restoration of the relief aims to preserve the historical and cultural values ​​of the event taking place in the area; creating a suitable space to promote values ​​in the spiritual life of the people.

Regarding the scale of project investment, the relief will be moved back (close to the railing of Truc Bach Lake), creating a larger space in front for convenient access and organization of events.

Image of the relief “Capturing American pilot John McCain”. Photo: Thai Son

The form of the relief will be kept intact but the size will be increased to fit the new location, changing the material from the current cement to a monolithic stone. The district plans to remake the pedestal for the relief, creating a place to place souvenir flowers.

In addition, the area where the relief is placed is also repaved to create relative separation from the sidewalk, information signs are added, trees and flower pots are rearranged, and lighting is added. The project cost is nearly 2 billion VND from the district budget. Implementation period is 2024-2025.

Previously, in the spirit of seeking knowledge, the People's Committee of Tay Ho district organized a scientific workshop to renovate, restore and embellish the relief "Capturing American pilot John McCain".

In the context of the US imperialists waging war by air force and navy to sabotage the North, from May to October 1967, the US air force organized 5 attacks on Yen Phu Power Plant to cut off the power supply to Hanoi and neighboring provinces. Dozens of planes and American soldiers, including John McCain, attacked the plant, but were shot down and captured by Vietnamese troops.

To commemorate this event, on Thanh Nien Street (Yen Phu Ward, Tay Ho District), the relief "Capturing American pilot John McCain" was built in 1967. This pilot after the war became US Senator John McCain, who contributed to the normalization and promotion of bilateral relations and friendship between Vietnam and the US.

Architect Tran Huy Anh believes that this relief is an urban memory. Every time he passes a street with a relief reminding him of the heroic feats of arms of Hanoi’s people and soldiers on Uncle Ho’s birthday, he is filled with emotions about the heroic years of fighting against the US.

He recalled that when the alarm siren sounded, children and the elderly hid in the shelters, soldiers mounted artillery, and militiamen went to the roofs to fight against enemy planes flying over Hanoi. The relief is a historical relic so that every time people pass by, they remember Uncle Ho's teachings of the past and the responsibility of Hanoians today. Although the relief is small, its spiritual and emotional value is immense.

Former Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi also said that the relief “Capturing American pilot John McCain” is an image to commemorate the feat of arms of the army and people of Hanoi; the restoration and renovation of the relief is to manage, preserve and promote the value of the memorial site and event; meeting the requirements of history, political and diplomatic significance.

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/du-kien-chinh-trang-ton-tao-buc-phu-dieu-bat-song-phi-cong-my-john-mccain-post303954.html