VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of people throughout Vietnam came to Dien Thang commune, Dien Ban District, in the central province of Quang Nam this weekend to attend the funeral of Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Thu, whose nine sons sacrificed their lives for their country in the wars of resistance against the French and the US.

Nguyen Thi Thu, regarded as the epitome of Vietnamese war mothers, died at the age of 106 at her home Quang Nam Province on December 10.

Thu was born in 1904 in Dien Ban District, Quang Nam province. Her nine sons, one son-in-law and one granddaughter sacrificed their lifes for their country in the wars of resistance against France and the US.

Mrs. Thu’s house used to be a shelter for liberation soldiers who fought in the enemy-occupied area. Five underground hide-outs were dug in her gardens to hide liberation soldiers and dozens of cows were kept to camouflage them.

Thu and her daughter acted as a liaison for the commune's guerrillas, prepared food and lit a small kerosene lamp to signal to secret fighters returning home after every battle.

In 2007, on the 60th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, a 15.2-meter-high statue to all Vietnamese war mothers was erected in Tam Ky City, Quang Nam province. It was modeled on Mrs. Thu, who was considered to represent all war mothers.

The centenarian's funeral will be held at the martyrs' cemetery in Dien Ban District on December 14.

On December 12, Party Chief Nong Duc Manh, President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended the funeral.

“Mother Thu will be an example for Vietnamese people forever. She will be the Great Vietnamese Mother forever,” said Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs at the funeral.

Quang Ngai province’s Vice Chair Nguyen Hoang Son wrote in the visitors’ book: “Today I burn incense for Mother Thu as a son in her family who pays my last tribute to an immortal mother in this life. Mothers in the central region have suffered so much pains and losses. Mother Thu is the most typical example for great sacrifices  for the desire of independence and happiness for the nation.”

Le Thi Kim Don, Vice Chair of Kon Tum Province, wrote: “Our country has lost a mother of heroic sons. Dien Ban district has lost a mother who delivered the sons who made golden pages…”

Since 1995, more than 46,000 mothers whose sons sacrificed for the country during wars have been granted the title Heroic Mothers, including 6000 mothers in Quang Nam.

PV