State President Nguyen Minh Triet received outstanding individuals in the Navy’s emulation drive during the 2004-2009 period in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army on Dec. 22.

Talking with the naval soldiers, President Triet praised the force’s developments and contributions to the national struggle for independence as well as the national construction and defence cause.

He asked the Navy to focus on increasing its power and developing personnel to complete complicated tasks in the new context.

After reporting of the force’s emulation drive to the President, Commander of the Naval Force, Rear Admiral Nguyen Van Hien affirmed the naval division’s determination to complete all entrusted tasks to keep peace and stability on the country’s territorial waters.

He also said the Navy always attaches importance to strengthening its power and participating in social activities such as poverty reduction programmes, rescue operations from disasters, as well as in production.

Also on Dec. 22, President Triet received a delegation of war veterans from the central city of Da Nang.

Talking with the veterans, President Triet stressed that the Party, State and people always honour the sacrifices and contributions by fallen soldiers and war veterans to the nation.

He also said during the present national construction cause war veterans, despite that many of them are invalid, remain patriotic and continue contributing to the country.

He expressed wish that veterans nationwide will further uphold the traditions of Uncle Ho’s soldiers and their patriotism and spread them to the next generations.

On the occasion of the Army’s Day, President Triet signed a number of decisions to confer the People’s Armed Forces’ Hero title to 13 collectives and 4 individuals who made great contributions to the resistance wars against French and American invaders.

The President also decided to present the Order of Military Merit and the Order of National Defence to 32 officials and the Medal of Honourable Soldiers to over 97,950 soldiers for their contributions./.