On the morning of September 3rd, a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held in Beijing. Several Guangdong veterans of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression waited in front of their televisions early to watch the highly anticipated parade live. Having once charged through the hail of bullets and gunfire, they now witnessed, with memories spanning decades, the valiant bearing of China's military in the new era.

When she saw the youthful yet determined faces of the service members on parade and the mighty formations of fighter jets soaring across the sky, 99-year-old veteran Kuang Yu was moved to tears. "I recall the days when we defended our homeland with rudimentary weapons. Now, seeing China's domestically developed advanced armaments and the upright bearing of young soldiers, I feel deeply gratified," she said. Watching the military parade, Kuang noted, "I feel the great spirit of resisting aggression has been passed on. A strong motherland makes peace all the more precious."

"In those years fighting the Japanese invaders, we had only three rifles, and our grenades were homemade. Countless members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) sacrificed their lives to defend the nation. Today, new tanks, fighter jets, and unmanned combat aircraft safeguard our flourishing ages. All achieved under the leadership of the CPC," said 98-year-old veteran Ou Guangqi with heartfelt emotion. "I hope the younger generation cherishes the present, advances with gratitude, integrates personal aspirations into the nation's development, and safeguards this hard-won peace and glory with practical action."

Ninety-eight-year-old veteran Qian Rong experienced the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation (1946-49), and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53). On the morning of September 3rd, though hospitalized, he neatly pinned to his chest the Commemorative Medals for the 60th, 70th, and 80th Anniversaries of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As he watched the resolute marching formations and domestically developed new armaments on screen, his eyes glistened with comfort and pride. With tears in his eyes, he raised his hand in salute. Qian Rong knows well that a strong country must have a strong military to defeat any enemy that dares to invade and to safeguard both national peace and the people's security.

广东抗战老兵看阅兵：他们眼含热泪，抬手敬礼

9月3日上午，纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年大会在北京隆重举行。多名广东的抗战老战士早早就守候在电视机前，通过直播观看这场备受瞩目的阅兵仪式。曾经在枪林弹雨冲锋陷阵的他们，带着跨越时空的记忆，亲眼见证新时代中国军队的雄姿。

当看到受阅官兵年轻而坚毅的面庞，看到威武的战机编队翱翔蓝天时，99岁的抗战老战士邝羽眼含热泪。“想起当年我们拿着简陋的武器保家卫国的岁月，如今看到自主研发的先进装备和年轻军人挺拔的身姿，我无比欣慰。”邝羽表示，通过观看此次九三阅兵，“我感受到伟大抗战精神的传承。祖国强盛，和平可贵。”

“当年打鬼子，我们只有3支枪，手榴弹还是自己制造的，无数共产党人用生命保护祖国。如今新型坦克、歼击机、无人战斗机等先进装备护航盛世，全是在中国共产党的带领下拼出来的。”98岁的抗战老战士欧光其语重心长地说：“希望年轻一代珍惜当下、感恩奋进，把个人奋斗融入国家发展，用实干守护这份来之不易的和平与荣光！”

98岁的抗战老战士钱荣，先后经历了抗日战争、解放战争、抗美援朝战争。3日上午，住在医院的他，特意在胸前整齐佩戴了中国人民抗日战争胜利60周年、70周年、80周年等纪念章。荧屏上铿锵前进的队伍和自主研发的新式装备，让老人眼中闪烁起欣慰的光芒，他眼含热泪，抬手敬礼。钱荣深知，强国必须强军，才能打败一切胆敢来犯之敌，才能捍卫国家的和平、人民的安宁。

文｜记者 丰西西 张小悦 李焕坤 高焓 侯梦菲
图｜受访者提供
译丨曾敏
英文审校丨林佳岱