Since the Ma Benzhai martyr cemetery was rebuilt in 1985, Cai Enkun has gone to the cemetery every day to guard the heroes buried there.
When Cai was a young boy, he had heard all the stories about anti-Japanese hero Ma Benzhai. After he grew up, he became a soldier too. However, due to an accident at work, he lost his left arm and came back to the village committee to work. In 1985, when he heard there was a job opening for guarding Ma Benzhai’s cemetery, he volunteered.
In the 30 years working as a grave keeper, Cai almost never missed a day of work. Besides cleaning the cemetery, he has read many books about history and martyrs like Ma Benzhai. "Though these heroes have passed away, their spirit lasts and inspires generation after generations in China," Cai says. He and the cemetery have integrated together, and he could never leave the place even though his son has asked him to do so many times.
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