Today, the Ministry of National Defense held the “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in World War II and the War of Resistance Against Japan – MEMORY becomes MISSION” concert at the Taipei International Convention Center. The event specially invited veterans who participated in the war, Mr. Chang Tso-min and Mr. Chang Ying-nan, to attend in person. Minister Koo Li-hsiung personally presented commemorative badges, demonstrating the nation’s highest respect for these veterans of the War of Resistance.
The concert carefully selected classic songs from various eras, combining acrobatic dancers and orchestral performances with light sculpture projections and animated visuals to create a brand-new immersive stage experience, allowing historical memory and contemporary mission to intertwine and resonate. The imagery in the performance depicted how, 80 years ago, ROC Armed Forces predecessors, embracing the conviction “If I live, the nation dies; if I die, the nation lives,” used their bodies to withstand gunfire, securing the eternal waving of the blue sky, white sun, and red earth flag.
The performance content used history as the warp and exemplary figures as the weft, drawing from historical facts such as girl scout Yang Hui-min risking her life to deliver the national flag, the Flying Tigers aiding China, and the Sino-American Composite Wing in action, conveying the core spirit of “military and civilian unity, demonstrating resilience” and interpreting the historical cooperation of “allied unity, marching together,” linking Taiwan with the international community’s shared democratic values and deep friendship.
The concert also specially invited the band 911 to passionately perform classic songs including “Gale Ale,” “LOCAL,” “Battlefield Legend,” and “The World Has Seen,” allowing the audience to feel the steadfast camaraderie on the battlefield and the unity and resilience demonstrated by Taiwan. At the conclusion, the National Defense University Political Warfare and Management College Choir joined the Taipei Philharmonic Youth and Children’s Choir to perform the three services’ anthems and inspirational songs, conveying to all personnel and citizens the message “I serve in the military, and I am proud,” taking pride in being service members and guardians of the homeland, demonstrating the ROC Armed Forces’ determination to pass the torch and shoulder its mission.
The Ministry of National Defense stated that this concert is not only a remembrance of history but also a pledge to defend the nation. Whether in the past or present, whenever the nation faces threats, the military and civilians of the entire country have always upheld the spirit of the War of Resistance, vowing to defend the homeland to the death and yield not an inch of territory. In the face of current regional security threats, only firm conviction and national unity can perpetuate the torch of freedom and democracy. It is hoped that through this concert, the memories of the people will be reawakened, the spirit of the heroic martyrs engraved in hearts and passed down through generations, and the War of Resistance spirit of “safeguarding the Republic of China,” “military and civilian unity against the enemy,” “youth stepping forward to defend the nation,” and “allies fighting together” deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.