Forever the spirit of youth volunteers

Throughout the history of fighting to protect and build the country, the Quang Ninh Youth Volunteer Force has left indelible marks. From the early days of the arduous resistance war to the period of innovation and integration, the spirit of shock and readiness to devote oneself to the community of generations of Youth Volunteers throughout the province has always been an immortal flame, preserved and continued through many generations.

On July 15, 1950, in Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province, the Central Youth Volunteer Team - the predecessor of the Vietnam Youth Volunteer Force - was established. From this important event, tens of thousands of young people from all over the country, with youthful enthusiasm and ardent patriotism, enthusiastically volunteered to join the resistance war, undertaking many important tasks in the cause of national liberation.

Quang Ninh province has 20 outstanding individuals receiving the Vietnam Veterans' Medal (December 2024) Photo: Hoang Giang

In Quang Ninh, the first Youth Volunteer Force unit, codenamed N78, was established on July 15, 1967, carrying out the task of opening an 80km strategic route from Trang Luong (Dong Trieu City) to Quang La (Ha Long City), connecting with Highway 18B to the border. During the war, the Youth Volunteer Force did not fear danger, working day and night to build roads, build fortifications, repair bridges, load and unload weapons, and transport goods, making an important contribution to the resistance war against the US to save the country.

In the period of 1978-1979, Quang Ninh became the front line to protect the Northeastern border of the Fatherland. More than 33,000 Youth Volunteers from Hai Phong City, Hai Hung Province (now Hai Duong and Hung Yen) were reinforced, fighting side by side with Quang Ninh Youth Volunteers to undertake production and combat tasks. Self-defense units at Xuan Khu Forestry Farm, Hai Hoa Farm, Quat Dong Irrigation Construction Company (in Hai Ninh District, now Mong Cai City) achieved many feats, clearly demonstrating the steadfast spirit, courage and willingness to sacrifice for the Fatherland of the youth in the Ho Chi Minh era.

When peace was restored, the former Youth Volunteers returned to normal life, but still carried within them the fire of dedication. They constantly strived to overcome difficulties in production and business, striving to enrich themselves, their families and society. Many of them became good farmers, dynamic businessmen, leading the movement to develop the local economy and society. The large school named after the Youth Volunteers has trained them to become responsible citizens, with a strong will to rise up and full of comradeship.

In order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Youth Volunteer Force nationwide, as well as the requirements of the Party and the State in resolving policies and regimes, on December 19, 2004, the Vietnam Association of Former Youth Volunteers was established. In Quang Ninh, the Association of Former Youth Volunteers was established in 2007, currently having more than 2,000 members operating in 12 district-level associations and 94 commune-level branches. With the slogan: "Where there are former Youth Volunteers, there is an association; where there is an association, there is a patriotic emulation movement", the Quang Ninh Association of Former Youth Volunteers has truly become a common home, a place to connect, share and spread the spirit of Youth Volunteers to today's generations throughout the province.

The City Youth Union, the Ha Long City Youth Union in coordination with the Association of Former Youth Volunteers, the City Investment and Startup Club started repairing the house for former Youth Volunteers Vu Thi Xoa (Dong Giua village, Son Duong commune, Ha Long city), April 2024. *Photo: Hoai Anh*

Particularly in the past year, the Quang Ninh Veterans Association continued to effectively carry out two major movements: "For the sake of comradeship, veterans do many good deeds" and "Former veterans do good business". Activities of visiting and supporting members in difficulty, giving savings books, health insurance cards, mobilizing the construction of gratitude houses... were maintained regularly with the total fund of "Comradeship" reaching over 1.1 billion VND. In addition, the association also actively advised, proposed, and coordinated with functional agencies in confirming martyrs and war invalids; resolving policies for veterans infected with toxic chemicals and their children affected by post-infection, contributing to protecting the legitimate rights of members.

The spirit of the Youth Volunteers continues to be inherited and strongly promoted by the youth of Quang Ninh today. The movement "Youth for the Party" has attracted thousands of young people to actively study, work creatively, and take the lead in all fields, joining hands to build a new rural area and civilized urban areas. Many outstanding young faces have shone, worthy of being the next generation to carry on the glorious tradition of the Youth Volunteers of the past.

The Quang Ninh Provincial Veterans Association was awarded the Excellent Unit Flag in 2024 by the Central Association.

Chairman of the Quang Ninh Veterans Association Vu Xuan Phu shared: We are not only the ones who inspire, but also the spiritual support, the living witness of a vibrant youth. The Quang Ninh Veterans Association will continue to be a common home for each veteran of the province to bond, share, preserve and spread good traditional values.

Through the years of formation and development, in both wartime and peacetime, the Youth Volunteer Force of the whole country in general and the Youth Volunteer Force of Quang Ninh in particular have proven that no matter what time it is, they are still a beautiful symbol of patriotism, courage and the will to overcome difficulties. That spirit and belief will forever be the torch that lights the way for today's young generation to continue writing glorious pages of history in the journey of building the homeland and the country.

Hoai Minh

Source