Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin attended the gala dinner commemorating the 25th anniversary of the August 23 (823) Artillery War on August 23. The event was organized by the Taipei City 823 Artillery War Veterans Association.
Hau began his address by honoring the retired veterans, paying his highest respect to the sacrifice they made in exchange for Taiwan’s safety and prosperity. He said he attended at the event not only as the city’s mayor, but also as a family member of a war veteran. He proceeded to share his personal experience – told from the perspective of a soldier’s son – with the audience.
Hau revealed that during the most intense period of the bombardment, his mother will take all four children with her on a bus to the Ministry of Defense every day. She would worriedly check the list of casualties to see if his father’s name was on it. He was only 6 years old when the ordeal cast a heavy shadow over his family, leaving an indelible mark on his childhood.
Recalling how his mother would weep privately during those frightful days, Hau noted that while frontline soldiers have to endure great hardship during the crisis, the pressure on their dependants is even more unbearable.

According to statistics, every square meter of the battlefield has been bombarded with an average of 21 to 22 shells, showing the intensity of the conflict. He once again expressed his gratitude to the veteran participating in the occasion, thanking them for safeguarding the island.