On the morning of November 14, at Km19 of Provincial Road 562 (Road 20 Quyet Than), the People's Committee of Quang Tri province held an inauguration ceremony for the restoration of the special national monument Hang Tam Co, a red address associated with one of the most tragic pages in the history of the fight against the US to save the country.
Exactly 53 years ago, on November 14, 1972, while on duty to ensure traffic on the 20 Quyet Quyen route, 8 young volunteers and 5 artillery soldiers heroically sacrificed themselves when being buried in a cave by bombs. The sacrifice of you has become an immortal symbol of resilience, courage and absolute loyalty to the Fatherland.
The 20 Quyet route in the 1966 - 1973 period was one of the most fierce destruction points of the US Air Force. The blood, sweat and tears of tens of thousands of soldiers, youth volunteers, arduous workers and local people have absorbed every drop of Truong Son land, creating the song "S cutting along Truong Son to save the country".
Ranked by the Prime Minister as a special national monument according to Decision No. 2383/QD-TTg dated December 9, 2013, Hang Tam Co is not only a place to commemorate those who died for national independence but also a sacred destination in the journey of gratitude and education of revolutionary traditions for the younger generation.
This restoration project includes items to complete martyrs' graves, renovate landscapes, upgrade infrastructure to serve visitors... The funding source is mobilized from contributions from organizations, individuals and philanthropists inside and outside the province.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province Tran Phong affirmed that the completion of the renovation of Hang Tam Co is a deep gratitude activity of the Party Committee, government and people for those who have donated their youth and blood to the Fatherland; at the same time, demonstrating the responsibility to preserve and promote the historical and cultural values of the heroic land of Quang Tri.
Previously, on November 8, a visitation, memorial service and burial of martyrs' remains took place. After the funeral, the collected martyrs' remains were buried in a common grave right at the entrance to Hang Tam Co.
Information from the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, the Martyr Remains Collection Team 589 (Quang Tri Provincial Military Command) discovered and collected the remains of martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives on 20 Quyet Thang Road.
Following the wishes of relatives, the Provincial People's Committee has requested GeneStory Joint Stock Company to support DNA assessment from socialized sources. The results showed that the examination samples all matched the samples of martyrs' relatives. The remains, relics and DNA samples were buried in a common grave built right at the entrance to Hang Tam Co.
Some images recorded by Lao Dong Newspaper reporters:
Lao Dong Newspaper has published a series of articles "Hang Tam Co - Red address hoping to be worthy of being a relic" - a journey back to history, paying tribute to those who have fallen on the legendary route 20 - Quyet Thang. Nam Co Cave is located next to the Memorial Temple for the Heroes and Martyrs of Road 20 Quyet Thang.
More than half a century has passed, Hang Tam Co is still an immortal symbol of patriotism and courage. The card line opens with the work "Pride of the heroic martyrs of Hang Tam Co", realistically recreating the image of the youth volunteers and the soldiers who sacrificed in the great war of Truong Son.
Next, the song "Story of the sacredness of Hang Tam Co" exploits spiritual depth, recording the feelings of people, tourists, and those who find peace and faith when coming to this place. "Wishing to build 8 wind tombs in the sacred relic" shows the desire to show gratitude and soothe the pain of martyrs' relatives.
The song "To elevate and promote the value of Hang Tam Co relic" raises the need to preserve, honor and develop the value of relics associated with traditional education and cultural tourism. The end is the video "Hang Tam Co - mai mai ca chuong anh hung", recreating the sacred space and settling emotions, affirming the immortal value of the relic in the national mind.
