A monument to commemorate the 10 young female volunteers who sacrificed their lives at the Dong Loc crossroads during the American war started construction at the historical Dong Loc crossroads in central Ha Tinh province, on July 23.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the beginning of the work on the 62 nd anniversary of War Invalids and Fallen Combatants’ Day (July 27), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan spoke of the Government and in particular his ministry’s preparations to get the monument built.

He said that a great number of teachers and local benefactors had contributed 3 billion VND to help finance the monument’s construction.

Politburo member and Head of the Commission for the Organisation of the Party’s Central Committee Ho Duc Viet highlighted the tremendous historical value of the Dong Loc crossroads. “The construction of this monument underlines the gratitude we have towards our elders who laid down their lives to protect the nation in its hour of need,” Viet said.

The 10 billion VND stone monument, which was designed and is being built by the Vietnam Fine Arts Development and Conservation Company, will depict the 10 young female volunteers who were endeavouring to keep the road open. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year./.