Liu Guoxin tells stories of martyrs at the Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Every early morning, Liu Guoxin leaves his home in downtown Hunchun, Jilin province, and heads for Dahuangshan village, around 15 kilometers away.
Liu, 67, has served as a volunteer guard at a martyrs' cemetery in the village for more than 40 years and told their stories to more than 200,000 visitors.
Liu was born in the village and returned there after retiring from the army in 1977.
"I heard many stories about the martyrs when I was young," he said. "During the years in the army, I had a chance to participate in the rescue action after the Tangshan earthquake in 1976 in Tangshan, Hebei province, and the Haicheng earthquake in 1975 in Haicheng, Liaoning province. These experiences gave me a new perspective on life and sacrifice."
Arriving home, he promptly visited the martyrs' cemetery to express his respect.
Liu Guoxin tells stories of martyrs at the Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
In 1979, Liu was elected Party chief of the village. Since then, on Tomb-Sweeping Day every year, he and village cadres visit the cemetery and refresh the inscription with red paint.
In 2004, the Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall was established in the village and Liu became a guide and interpreter, passing along stories about the Chinese Communists and the soldiers who sacrificed themselves in war.
"I hope to share the stories about these martyrs with more people, especially youth," he said. "They should know the stories of those who are lying in this cemetery. They sacrificed themselves to save other people and should receive great respect from generation to generation."
After retiring from village leadership in 2013, Liu has come to the cemetery virtually every day and will sweep at least three times a week.
"It is a sacred place and must be kept clean," he said.
Liu Guoxin stands at a martyrs' cemetery in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Liu Guoxin sweeps a martyrs' cemetery in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
The Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
The Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
The Hunchun Party History Exhibition Hall in Dahuangshan village of Hunchun, Jilin province. [Photo by Jilin Daily/For chinadaily.com.cn]
