As summer vacation comes to an end, the Memorial Hall has become a hub of patriotic education, welcoming 131 groups and 7,325 participants, including new recruits, employees, and youth from across the Taiwan Strait. Through programs such as “A Lesson Before Enlistment,” “A Lesson Before Employment,” and “A Lesson on National Rejuvenation,” attendeesgathered to reflect on historical memories and forge a deep sense of patriotism.

Innovating National Defense Education: Merging Knowledge and Action

The “A Lesson Before Enlistment” program focuses on nurturing revolutionary soldiers who embody the "Four Virtues." This marks a fresh initiative by the Memorial Hall to combine political education with national defense training. Through ceremonial lessons, on-site visits, and specialized lectures, soldiers and cadets were introduced to the history of the Nanjing Massacre, strengthening their commitment to peace, instilling patriotism, and reminding them of the importance of building a strong military.

In this summer vacation, nearly 1,000 trainees from various military units and academies came to the Memorial Hall for the solemn “A Lesson Before Enlistment” program, where they were encouraged to build strong character and unity of purpose.

On July 10 and July 18, the CPC members from the Jiangsu Exit and Entry Border Inspection General Station visited the Memorial Hall for the “A Lesson Before Employment” program. Through memorial ceremonies, museum tours, and lectures, they deepened their understanding of the Nanjing Massacre and the importance of establishing the National Memorial Day for its victims.

Reflecting on History, Cherishing Peace

On July 17, a group of students from Chuxin Academy in Jinjiang, Fujian, visited the Memorial Hall to learn about history, pay tribute to the heroes who defended the country, and reflect on the preciousness of the peace we now enjoy.

On August 15, a group of children from the mountainous regions of Yunnan Province traveled over 2,300 kilometers from the southwestern border of China to Nanjing. At the Memorial Hall, they learned about the tragic history of the Nanjing Massacre. Wang Jianying, a young girl of the Miao ethnicity, expressed her emotions: “Seeing how China once suffered from Japanese invasion helped me realize that ‘backwardness invites aggression.’ Today is a day with great historical significance, and here at the Memorial Hall, I have witnessed the hardships our nation endured. In the future, I will strive to study hard, gain valuable skills, and contribute to our nation.”

On the same day, Li Yuhan, great-grandson of Nanjing Massacre survivor Xia Shuqin and an inheritor of the historical memory, participated in the “Inherit the Spirit of Resistance, Strive to Be a New Generation” event at the Memorial Hall. After leaving his handprint on the “V” symbol of victory, he stated: “We must never forget the bitter memories of our history. As a descendant of survivors, it is my responsibility to carry forward the memory of the Nanjing Massacre and to spread the truth about this history.”

Cross-Strait Youth Join Hands for National Rejuvenation

On August 16, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Nanjing Municipal Committee of the CPC organized a “Lesson on National Rejuvenation” for Taiwanese youth visiting the Memorial Hall. The program aimed to deepen their understanding of China’s development and cultural heritage. Over the years, the Memorial Hall and the Taiwan Affairs Office have co-organized several study camps for outstanding Taiwanese youth in Nanjing, providing opportunities to visit historical education sites, engage in discussions with scholars, and reflect on their experiences. Through these activities, participants gained firsthand insight into wartime history and cultivated a shared sense of patriotism.

Extending Education Beyond the Memorial Hall, Bringing History to the Military

In addition to the patriotic education activities within the Memorial Hall, from August 26 to 27, the patriotic education team extended its efforts by delivering history lessons to an Air Force unit stationed in Jiangxi Province. The team conducted a thematic lecture on “The Story of the Battle of Nanjing and the Aviation Heroes of the Defense” while recounting the history of the Nanjing Massacre to inspire patriotism.

The lecture not only provided a thorough historical review but also offered valuable lessons for the future. After the lecture, the attendees watched the documentary A Page together. The Memorial Hall also presented the officers with books of Historical Records of the Defense of Nanjing. The soldiers expressed their determination to remember this humiliating chapter in history, stay vigilant, enhance their combat readiness, and take on the sacred responsibility of defending the nation.