Veteran recalls motivation for joining the war effort in his youth

陈小将

Hou Xingcun was born to a poor farming family in Qingcheng village of Yuxian county, Shanxi province, in 1929. Witnessing the brutalities of the Japanese invaders in North China at his young age fueled his determination to resist.

"My uncle worked for the Communist Party of China," Hou said. "He and my older brother were captured by the Japanese, and they stuffed my uncle into a sack and beat him to death. They killed so many of our people, almost everyone in my village was slaughtered."

As a veteran of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Hou's youth and passion were forged in the flames of defending the homeland.

At just 13, he joined a local children's corps, standing guard for the Eighth Route Army and sabotaging enemy infrastructure by destroying their roads and telephone lines.

In 1945, when he was 16, Hou joined the guerrilla forces and fought on the frontlines to expel the Japanese troops. During combat in 1946, he courageously captured enemy weaponry, earning accolades and recognition for his exceptional contributions.

Hou was wounded during a battle in Zhengding county, Hebei province, in the spring of 1947. He was sent back to his hometown and later honored as a third-class disabled soldier for his sacrifices.

Transitioning to civilian life, Hou got a job at a tobacco factory in Taiyuan in 1952 and went on to join the Party in 1956. He held multiple positions, progressing to roles as a deputy workshop director and political cadre. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to his responsibilities, earning numerous accolades as an outstanding Party member and exemplary worker.

Hou draws on his experience to educate children about the revolutionary traditions of the older generation. He reminds them that today's happy life was hard-won and bought with the blood and lives of revolutionary martyrs, a sacrifice they should be grateful for and cherish.

The veteran and his wife met during the war years. They raised three children, all of whom are Party members. His family's unity, support, and love embody the essence of dedication towards a brighter future.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the war. Hou hopes China will remain strong, so it can never again be a nation enslaved.

Hou Xingcun's revolutionary story is a vivid history lesson about the steadfast beliefs and relentless struggles of the countless revolutionary predecessors who paved the way for today's peace and prosperity.