Chapter 1698: Peace, Do Not Forget the Martyrs

The leaders of the Military Sub-district, including the soldiers, were all looking at Seeing Jian Qiu, their eyes revealing an indescribable emotion.

Perhaps peace has lasted a bit too long, and now many young people look down on those who serve in the military.

Not to mention after retirement, even those currently in service, when going to government departments to handle affairs, are often given a hard time.

Just think, if even civil servants look down on soldiers, what kind of message does that send to the common people?

In such an environment, who else would respect these soldiers, and how many people still remember?

The predecessors who once bled and sacrificed for this country and this nation?

I don't know how many times, soldiers who suffered grievances locally ran to their offices and asked.

Chief, what exactly is it for that we put on this military uniform?

It is to protect our homes and defend our country, it is so that our brothers and sisters are not bullied.

But, it is the very brothers and sisters they protect who look down on them the most.

Everywhere they go, they are given a hard time, mocked, humiliated, and even verbally abused.

They are not afraid of bleeding, not afraid of sweating, and even less afraid of dying, but they feel stifled in their hearts.

They really can't understand whether putting on this military uniform was right or wrong.

And today, at this very moment, Seeing Jian Qiu's words made the stifling feeling they once had vanish into thin air.

It is true that some people look down on them for being soldiers, but there are also people thinking of them, missing them, being grateful to them, and respecting them.

If one day they were to sacrifice themselves, they would never regret putting on this military uniform, because they protected the people they wanted to protect; it is worth it!

"Clap!"

The commander of the Military Sub-district saluted Seeing Jian Qiu, and immediately after, whether they were officers or soldiers, they also raised their hands and solemnly saluted Seeing Jian Qiu.

"Chairman Jian, thank you!"

The commander of the Military Sub-district said thank you. Many people present did not understand what the simple two words "thank you" represented.

But Seeing Jian Qiu understood. She also stood at attention and gave a very standard military salute.

And this scene was all recorded by the reporters following from the City Daily, Evening News, and the television station.

The commander of the Military Sub-district was stunned and asked curiously: "Chairman Jian, have you served in the military?"

"I suppose I have served in the military." Seeing Jian Qiu did not continue, but looked at the several leaders very apologetically: "Leaders, because of me, it has been delayed for so long, I am truly sorry."

"Chairman Jian, your words are too polite." Chen Wenqi looked up at the cemetery gate: "If it weren't for you and Chairman Zhou, I don't know when the cemetery would have been renovated.

And I know very clearly in my heart that for you to come here in person to attend the groundbreaking ceremony in your condition is not only an emphasis on this cemetery expansion project but also to come here to pay tribute to our martyrs, right?"

Seeing Jian Qiu stepped forward: "I remember that in the first two years after I arrived at the winery, during Qingming, there were schools that organized students to come to the cemetery to pay tribute to our martyrs. But I don't know when it started, I could no longer see schools organizing students to come to sweep the graves."

Having said this, the group walked into the gate of the Martyrs' Cemetery, and directly facing the gate, about forty or fifty meters away, stood the Hero Monument.

The large characters "Revolutionary Heroes Will Live Forever" on it had already lost their color due to erosion by wind and rain, and even the monument body made of concrete was covered with fine cracks like spider webs.

At this time, two excavators were parked next to the monument, and Zhou Andong's eldest aunt's husband Li Xianghui, old aunt's husband Duan Chunsheng, and Comrade Xiao Yin, including a large number of workers, were already waiting.

Because the old electronic factory Yuxi Huangting residential area was about to be topped out, the cemetery renovation and expansion project was handed over to Li Xianghui and their construction company.

This monument was to be torn down and a new 26.8-meter monument built, and in addition, a memorial square of more than two thousand square meters was to be expanded.

Seeing Jian Qiu stood in front of the monument, looked up at the characters "Revolutionary Heroes Will Live Forever," and said softly.

"Peace, do not forget the martyrs; happiness, do not forget the heroes. In the long river of history, countless martyrs sacrificed their lives for the interests of the country and the people. They used their blood, sweat, and lives to create today's peace and happiness for us.

However, with the passage of time, their bones have been eroded by the years, and their names have gradually blurred in the long river of history.

But we cannot forget their ideology and spirit, forget their achievements and contributions; to forget is to betray. Because the martyrs' ideology and spirit are the examples and guidance for our progress, and the spiritual pillar and soul of our nation.

Their achievements and contributions are the historical monuments and glorious chapters of our nation. For the liberation and independence of the nation, for the happiness and well-being of the people, they did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to create today's peace and prosperity for us.

We must pass on the martyrs' achievements and contributions, ideology and spirit, so that future generations, generation after generation, can firm up their beliefs while paying tribute, and carry forward the spirit while pioneering, letting the red gene remain fresh and shine forever, passing the torch and continuing the bloodline."

Deng Zhangli understood the meaning in Seeing Jian Qiu's words: "After the cemetery is repaired, I will organize all schools in Jiangzhou City, including primary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and universities, to come to the cemetery to pay tribute to the martyrs."

"That's not enough." Chen Wenqi said softly: "It must be organized every year."

Deng Zhangli nodded: "After I go back, I will notify the heads of all departments of the Education Bureau to hold a meeting."

At this time, Seeing Jian Qiu greeted Li Xianghui and Duan Chunsheng: "Eldest Aunt's husband, Old Aunt's husband."

Li Xianghui said somewhat reproachfully: "In your condition, why did you still come? Where is Dongzi?"

"Dongzi went to Yangcheng for something very important." Seeing Jian Qiu smiled slightly: "Those who reside here are all our predecessors. They sacrificed for the country and the nation, and now their heroic spirits will still protect us."

Deng Zhangli checked the time: "Secretary, it's about time, let's begin."

Chen Wenqi looked at Seeing Jian Qiu: "Chairman Jian, why don't you say a few words first."

Seeing Jian Qiu shook her head: "I have already said what needed to be said, so I won't say anything more."

"Alright!"

Chen Wenqi hadn't prepared anything either, just stood under the Hero Monument and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Respected leaders of the Military Sub-district, distinguished guests, comrades, friends: Qingming has arrived, the pines and cypresses are lush, and the earth is solemn. Today, we gather here with incomparable reverence to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jiangzhou Martyrs' Cemetery renovation and expansion project..."

Chen Wenqi's speech was very short, finishing in less than a minute, then it was the commander of the Military Sub-district's turn to speak, which was also not long, and finally it was Deng Zhangli, who announced the start of the project.

The whole process took less than fifteen minutes. After announcing the start, there was no such thing as the leaders holding shovels to make a show of it, shoveling two shovelfuls of dirt, as in later generations, but instead, they retreated to the side.

With the roar of the two excavators, the Jiangzhou Martyrs' Cemetery renovation and expansion project officially began. ===== CHAPTER 1699 =====