In a solemn and reverent atmosphere marking the 79th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs, on July 26, at Pho Da Pagoda in Berlin, the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in the Federal Republic of Germany, in coordination with Pho Da Pagoda, held a grand requiem ceremony commemorating fallen heroes and martyrs, as well as a tribute program for relatives of martyrs' families residing in Germany.

Ambassador Nguyen Dac Thanh delivers remarks at the ceremony. (Photo: Thu Hang/VNA)

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Germany, attendees included Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Dac Thanh and his spouse, Minister-Counsellor Dang Hoang Linh, Buddhist monks and nuns from Pho Da Pagoda, Tu An Pagoda (Berlin), Phuc Lam Pagoda (Potsdam), and Giac Chau Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City), leaders of the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany, representatives of associations and businesses, together with a large number of overseas Vietnamese and Buddhist followers from across Germany.

The ceremony took place in the tranquil setting of Pho Da Pagoda, beginning with the national flag salute and a minute of silence in memory of President Ho Chi Minh and the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom.

In her opening remarks, Trinh Thi Mui, President of the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany, emphasized that the tremendous sacrifices made by previous generations had laid the foundation for today's peaceful, unified, and developing Vietnam.

She noted that July 27 is not only a day of remembrance but also an occasion for every Vietnamese, whether at home or abroad, to look toward their roots and express profound gratitude to those who devoted their lives to the nation.

She affirmed that the traditions of “When drinking water, remember its source” and “Gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation” remain sacred values preserved by overseas Vietnamese communities.

“As people living far from our homeland, geographical distance does not diminish our love for the country or our gratitude toward previous generations. Therefore, the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany has always regarded humanitarian work, charitable activities, and gratitude initiatives as among its key priorities, contributing to preserving Vietnamese cultural identity, strengthening community solidarity, and educating younger generations about the nation's patriotic traditions,” she said.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Dac Thanh expressed his emotion at participating in the tribute program organized by the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany.

The Ambassador stressed that the event was a meaningful response to the call of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to continue effectively carrying out activities honoring war invalids, sick veterans, relatives of martyrs, and people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution.

Ambassador Nguyen Dac Thanh conveyed the deep gratitude of the Party and State leaders to the families of war invalids, sick veterans, martyrs, veterans, former People's Public Security officers, former youth volunteers, and others who had rendered distinguished service to the nation.

According to the Ambassador, even in Berlin and throughout Germany, many Vietnamese families continue to preserve stories, memories, and examples of revolutionary heroism and the immense sacrifices that helped secure the peace, international standing, and reputation Vietnam enjoys today.

He also noted that the Vietnamese community in Germany has closely followed the “500-day-and-night campaign to intensify the search, recovery, and identification of martyrs' remains” currently underway in Vietnam, while highly appreciating the gratitude activities and visits to families of meritorious contributors organized by the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany and other associations in recent years.

A highlight of the program was the grand Buddhist requiem ceremony in remembrance of the nation's fallen heroes and martyrs, presided over by senior Buddhist monks and nuns.

The requiem ceremony honoring fallen heroes and martyrs was solemnly conducted in accordance with Buddhist rituals. (Photo: Thu Hang/VNA)

In the solemn atmosphere, delegates and Buddhist followers joined together in prayer, paying tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom, while also praying for national peace and prosperity, world peace, and continued unity among overseas Vietnamese communities in support of their homeland.

As part of the program, the organizers also hosted a sharing session featuring relatives of martyrs' families living in Germany. Their stories about the sacrifices of loved ones, memories of wartime, and journeys of overcoming loss deeply moved those in attendance.

On this occasion, the Union of Vietnamese Women's Associations in Germany presented commemorative tokens bearing the inscription “Forever Grateful to Heroic War Invalids and Martyrs” to relatives of martyrs' families residing in Germany.

According to the organizers, each token symbolizes not only gratitude for the noble sacrifices made by the nation's heroes and martyrs but also compassion for the losses endured by their families, helping spread Vietnam's enduring humanitarian traditions throughout the overseas Vietnamese community.

The program also featured musical performances praising the homeland, peace, and gratitude, presented by members of the Vietnamese community. These heartfelt performances created a warm and unifying atmosphere, reflecting the continuation of Vietnam's patriotic traditions across generations of overseas Vietnamese.

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