THERE is a special group of people who are now being marginalized while the rest of us enjoy the peace they bought. They are veterans who fought Japanese aggressors during World War II. Ilaobing.com, a Shenzhen-based charity website, says that 832 Anti-Japanese War veterans died between 2008 and 2013. The year 2013 saw the passing of 378 veterans alone. As time goes on, the number of veterans will shrink until they are all gone. Some estimate that around 20,000 veterans in China are still alive, but are suffering from poor medical care, loneliness or disabilities. To raise people’s awareness of the veterans and to commemorate their service, a public campaign was organized by local volunteers in 2007, and a nonprofit foundation was founded by the China Social Assistance Foundation last year. Together, they provide special care for veterans with the help of volunteers. This page shows respect for the veterans, for the sacrifice they made and, above all, for the history that needs to be justified.(Tan Yifan) |