Memorial service for teachers and students who died at the Ma River dike construction site

On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2024), on the evening of July 19, at the Memorial Site for teachers and students who died on June 14, 1972 at the Ma River dike construction site, Ham Rong Ward coordinated with the Ham Rong Historical and Cultural Relic Management Board, Thanh Hoa City Buddhist Executive Committee to organize a requiem ceremony for heroic martyrs, teachers and students of the Medical School and Thanh Hoa 7+3 Pedagogical School who heroically died at the Ma River dike construction site.

Memorial service for heroic martyrs, teachers and students of Thanh Hoa Medical School and Pedagogical School 7+3 who died on June 14, 1972 at the Ma River dike construction site.

Attending the ceremony were leaders of Thanh Hoa City, Ham Rong Historical and Cultural Relic Management Board; leaders of Nam Ngan and Ham Rong wards; City Buddhist Executive Board and a large number of officials, party members, students and people of Thanh Hoa City.

Delegates perform the flag salute ceremony.

During the resistance war against the US to save the country, Ham Rong - Song Ma bridge had an extremely important strategic position, considered the traffic chokepoint and became the target of attack by the US air force to prevent support from the Northern rear to the Southern front, and at the same time to save the complete bankruptcy of the "Vietnamization of the war" strategy.

In the rainy season of 1972, the Ma River water level rose, while a few months before, the US had bombarded Ham Rong Bridge, severely damaging the Ma River dike, with a high risk of dike failure and flooding. To ensure the vital traffic route serving the Southern battlefield and to prevent and combat floods, right at the time when US aircraft were bombing fiercely, Thanh Hoa province mobilized emergency forces to build up the critical Ma River dike section from Nam Ngan to Ham Rong.

At the fateful moment, at around 8am on June 14, 1972, American planes suddenly, in a frantic and intense manner, flew from the estuary straight towards Ham Rong Bridge, dropping bombs on nearly 2,000 people who were on duty to rebuild the damaged sections of the Ma River dike. Among them were teachers and students from the Medical School and the 7+3 Pedagogical School. Bombs and bullets killed 64 teachers and students from the two schools at a very young age.

Delegates and the people observed a minute of silence to express their gratitude for the great contributions of the heroic martyrs; teachers and students of Thanh Hoa Medical School and 7+3 Pedagogical School who sacrificed their lives at the construction site of the Ma River dike.

Thanh Hoa City leaders offered incense to express their gratitude for the great contributions of the heroic martyrs; teachers and students of Thanh Hoa Medical School and 7+3 Pedagogical School who sacrificed their lives at the construction site of the Ma River dike.

At the memorial service, delegates, along with a large number of students and people, observed a moment of silence, offered incense and flowers to express their respect and infinite gratitude for the great contributions of the heroic martyrs, teachers and students of the Medical School and the 7+3 Thanh Hoa Pedagogical School who heroically sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for the longevity of the nation.

Tran Thanh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/le-cau-sieu-tuong-niem-cac-giao-vien-va-hoc-sinh-hy-sinh-tren-cong-truong-dap-de-song-ma-220031.htm