Ngô Thanh Nhàn, husband of Merle Ratner, expressed gratitude and appreciation on behalf of his family for the affection and respect shown by the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam towards Ratner. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Thu

HẢI PHÒNG — A solemn ceremony was held in the northern city of Hải Phòng on August 10 to disperse the ashes of Merle Ratner, a leftist and anti-war activist of the US and also a close friend of Việt Nam.

Representatives of Vietnamese agencies and organisations offered their deep condolences to the bereaved family over the sudden passing of Ratner in a traffic accident in the US on February 5, 2024.

The ceremony demonstrated Việt Nam’s respect for her devotion to the country’s struggle for national liberation and the fight for Agent Orange/dioxin victims of Việt Nam, along with her support for Việt Nam to contribute to peace and enhance the friendship and solidarity with left-wing friends and political parties around the world.

Her legacy is considered an impulse and a fire kindling the confidence in the friendship, based on mutual understanding and respect, for peace, cooperation, and development between Việt Nam and the US, as well as between Việt Nam and left-wing friends worldwide.

On behalf of the family, Prof. Ngô Thanh Nhàn, Ratner’s husband, appreciated the Vietnamese Party, State, and people’s sentiment towards the deceased and their fulfillment of the family’s wish to help Ratner rest in peace in the country beloved by her.

Merle Evelyn Ratner was born in New York in 1956. She was awarded many noble accolades by the Party, State, and organisations of Việt Nam, including the Friendship Order, the “For the development of Vietnamese women” insignia, and the “For Agent Orange/dioxin victims of Việt Nam” insignia. — VNS