Marching in China丨Red family tradition passed down from generation to generation

“Red Ribbon on Earth” sculpture. Photo by People.com reporter Jiao Long

In the square where the Gansu Red Army met in Huining, the sculpture “Red Ribbon on the Earth” stands quietly. The sun shines on it, glowing with warm light.

“The sculpture expresses the theme of the meeting of the three main Red Army forces, implying the revolutionary spirit of the Red Army soldiers’ unity and forge ahead, and high-spiritedness.” 75-year-old Wang Wenhan pointed to the sculpture and explained.

In October 1936, the three main forces of the Red Army successfully joined forces at Huining and Jiangtaibao. Some of the Red Army soldiers who lived in Wang Wenhan’s home were fourteen or fifteen years old and wore only straw sandals on their feet in the winter. Wang Wenhan’s parents felt distressed and searched for used shoes everywhere. The shoes they pieced together were much warmer than straw sandals. Wang Wenhan said that at that time, he was poor and his family did not have enough to eat, but his parents tried every means to treat their wounds and provide meals to the Red Army soldiers for free. Later, his third uncle also joined the Red Army and embarked on the road of revolution.

Red is integrated into the family tradition and has become a precious spiritual wealth for the Wang family to overcome difficulties and educate future generations. The family refused to acquire it privately at high prices, and donated more than 10 revolutionary cultural relics to many museums and revolutionary memorial halls for free on three separate occasions. Wang Wenhan said: “The story of the Red Army must be known to future generations.”

Wang Wenhan took photos in front of the Reunion Tower. Photo by People.com reporter Zhou Wanting

From delivering meals for healing to free donations of cultural relics, Wang Wenhan embodied the devotion inherited in his family tradition into good deeds day after day. In the past 21 years, he has raised more than 100 million yuan in donations and goods, including nearly 50 million yuan in cash and more than 60 million yuan in supplies and medicines. He has helped 11,000 poor college students with more than two degrees in the county. After being named an outstanding charity worker by the National Charity Association, Wang Wenhan said: “My charity work is inseparable from the training of the party and the government, the support of the business community, and the joint efforts of caring people.”