Vientiane, January 8 (AseanAll) —The Ministry of National Defence of Laos is gearing up to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Lao People’s Army on January 20.
According to Vientiane Times, speaking at a press conference, Lao Deputy Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Thongloy Silivong said the ministry was organising countrywide ceremonies to mark the historic occasion and had appointed a special committee to prepare activities to celebrate the momentous anniversary.
The ministry is responsible for raising awareness of the importance of the anniversary among government officials working in the fields of the armed forces and local forces, and organising appropriate events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Lao People’s Army through art and literature across every organisation, ministry and military department.
An art and literature competition involving the whole army will be organised in five locations, in which 55 units of military departments will participate, while a troupe of artistes from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will stage performances for some military departments in central Vientiane and in Vientiane province.
The committee will arrange for the printing of publicity materials showing photos of the army, which will be hung up outside the Ministry of National Defence, the Kaysone Phomvihane Academy, the 103 Hospital and at the barracks of the 233rd Battalion.
In addition, the army’s media department is compiling news stories and writing articles about outstanding members of the armed forces and leaders, as well as interviewing revolutionary veterans.
A competition will be held in which people are invited to create appropriate works of art or literature to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Lao People’s Army.
There will also be a grand parade, while the reconstruction of the Lao People’s Army History Museum will be celebrated following the official opening ceremony on December 13.
From now until January 20, promotional activities will be widely organised and publicised among the general public.
These include a performance by artistes from the Vietnam People’s Army to demonstrate the great and enduring friendship between the two armies.
There will also be military and mass sports competitions at the Main Army Stadium 5 in central Vientiane, and a shooting exercise with the participation of all combat units at the training ground of the Kommadam Academy on January 17.
Party and state leaders will attend these events and visit various military departments, where best wishes will be bestowed on them as well as on senior and retired revolutionary veterans and workers.
Leaders will visit sick and wounded military personnel in hospitals, and an exhibition of military products will be staged from January 12-18.
On January 19, Lao Party and state leaders will hold a national celebration at the National Convention Centre, which will be broadcast live on television and radio.
Lao Senior government leaders will also take part in a walk at the That Luang Marsh and meet with heroes, combatants, and senior revolutionary workers.
On January 18, a ceremony will take place to receive greetings from various ministries and organisations.
Under the orders of the Party Central Secretariat, the Ministry of National Defence will make every effort to publicise the legacy and achievements of the Lao People’s Army, so that people across the whole country are fully aware of the contribution made by the defence forces to the country’s past and present protection and the freedoms enjoyed by all citizens.
Lieutenant General Thongloy said “On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, I call on all Party members, ministries, and the media to comprehensively acknowledge the victories and achievements of the Lao People’s Army over the past 75 years.”
