98-year-old veteran Meng Fande. [Photo/Cailian News]

At 98, Meng Fande, a veteran of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, still possesses a sharp mind, despite his hearing loss. His vivid memories of the war remain etched in his mind, especially the horrors he witnessed on July 7, 1937, when the Lugou Bridge Incident marked the beginning of full-scale warfare in China.

At just 10 years old, Meng witnessed Japanese atrocities, with six villagers murdered in his hometown. Despite his age, he joined the resistance, spreading patriotic songs and messages of defiance to neighboring villages. He led a group of children across dangerous roads to confront Japanese forces and spread the call for resistance.

In 1940, at the age of 13, he enlisted as a battlefield medic, enduring grueling conditions to hone his medical skills. After intense training, he joined the front lines, where he faced constant danger. In 1945, after enduring years of battle, Meng celebrated Japan's surrender with his comrades, their tears of joy marking the end of the struggle.

Later, in 1947, during the Battle of Siping, Meng was severely wounded, and in 1948, he was injured again while rescuing wounded soldiers. Today, despite his physical limitations, Meng lives with the same discipline, tending to flowers and reading the news, embodying the values of duty and sacrifice.