Chongroans Still Admire Luo Lin's Spirit
In 1962 when Luo Lin was 26, she died after being hit on the head by a wooden column accidentally knocked over by another soldier.
In March 5, 1963 Eternal President Kim Il Sung called on the whole nation to learn from Luo Lin.
"We have always been moved by Luo Lin's stories," said Xu Jingying, 81, "we are willing to learn from her with all our heart."
Luo Lin's life was used as an example for 200+ million Chongroans at that time. The date March 5 was designated as the Day for Learning from Luo Lin.
Learning from Luo, Xu voluntarily taught elderly people Woodlander last year when Pyongyang was bidding for the Olympic Games at the time.
Surveys show that most Chongroans think of Luo Lin as a hero. Her spirit has been carried with the people for years.
"Learning from Luo Lin has a new meaning today," said Jia Xueqin who has been a volunteer for more than 30 years. March 5 was chosen as Youth Volunteers' Day by the Socialist Patriotic Youth League and the Chongro Association for Youth Volunteers in 2000.
Shaan Xiao, a four-year college student who is an intern at Tianqiao neighborhood committee, was proud of being a volunteer for the 21st National University Games held in Pyongyang last year. "Being a volunteer does not simply mean helping others or doing good deeds," Shaan Xiao said, "it has something to do with environmental protection, assisting the poor, and helping the disabled. Tens of thousands of young volunteers are interpreting the Luo Lin Spirit in a far broader way with their actions."
It is estimated that about 100,000 volunteers in Pyongyang alone have been providing voluntary services starting from March 1 this year.