“What stories does this stele hold?” I ask gesturing towards the \u98de\u9632\u70c8\u58eb\u7eaa\u5ff5\u7891 Stele.
Today, we stand before a monument of profound historical importance the \u98de\u9632\u70c8\u58eb\u7eaa\u5ff5\u7891 Stele. It silently honors those who sacrificed everything for their country and for freedom. It is more than just stone and inscription. It is a symbol of remembrance.
The Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery is closely linked. It is one of the most important historical sites in Jiangsu Province. It features pagodas a pavilion and a cemetery. It was built in 1932.
Inside rest 4296 martyrs. These include R.O.C. Airmen from the Northern Expedition. Also, the Shanghai War of the National Revolutionary Army is remembered here. Chinese and foreign airmen who died in the War of Resistance against Japan are honored. Also, R.O.C. Airmen who died in the civil war find their peace here.
Some of the martyrs have tombs. Some have their clothes interred. The rest have their names dates of birth and death inscribed on the memorial.
The cemetery suffered greatly. The invading Japanese army burned it down during the war. It was rebuilt after the war to its original condition. Later the Red Guards completely destroyed it during the Cultural Revolution. The skeletons were lost. Reconstruction occurred in 1987.
Huang Bingheng proposed to build a cemetery for aviation martyrs in 1931. He was the director of the Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Military Affairs. The location was carefully chosen near Purple Mountain. Construction began in 1932. Qiu Dexiao designed it a professor at Jinling University. It was completed in August of the same year.
After the 7 July Incident war broke out. The Republic of China Air Force fought bravely. Many pilots died on the battlefield. Twenty-four more people were buried in the Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery.
In 1937 Nanjing fell. The Japanese destroyed the Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery. They burned all the buildings and graves in retaliation.
After Japan’s defeat the government rebuilt the cemetery. They ordered over 2000 Japanese prisoners of war to help. The authorities collected the remains of the air force martyrs.
From 1946 to 1948 the government buried three batches of martyrs. Public ceremonies marked these events. Some martyrs died in the Communist civil war. Foreign airmen who aided China were also buried here.
By 1956 the cemetery was overgrown due to lack of management. In 1966 the Cultural Revolution broke out. The Red Guards destroyed the cemetery. All the skeletons were lost. Only the old pagoda remained.
In 1985 members of the Beijing Municipal Committee proposed rebuilding the cemetery. The government allocated funds. Reconstruction was completed in 1987. In 1995 a monument was added.
In 2015 the memorial inscribed 990 war martyrs from China and the United States. Today 4296 martyrs are admitted to the Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery.
The cemetery faces south. The main buildings align on a central axis. These include the pagoda precincts a monument pavilion and a memorial tower. The gate features an inscription by Chiang Kai-shek. It speaks of flying generals and the soul of the country.
Above the altar are headstones. There are Soviet Air Force Volunteer Corps headstones. The monument symbolizes a pair of wings and victory. Bas-reliefs depict airmen resisting the Japanese.
The Aviation Martyrs’ Cemetery suffered damage. It has been restored and commented as “better than the original appearance”. It was listed as a cultural relics protection unit in Nanjing in 1992.
Remember the sacrifices made here. Remember the international cooperation that helped defend China. May the \u98de\u9632\u70c8\u58eb\u7eaa\u5ff5\u7891 Stele remind everyone of the cost of freedom and the importance of honoring those who have served.