Today is the second day of the "National Day" golden week. Yesterday, our Memorial received a total of 48,465 visitors, and 103,053 today.

Such a large flow of people is a great challenge for the security department. Zhang Zhihua, the property manager of the Memorial, led 60 security guards and 70 assistant guides to maintain order, ensure security and serve the audience. Yesterday, he had walked more than 20,000 steps. With today's soaring number of visitors, he will have walked about 40,000 steps.

During this year’s National Holiday, he is on duty 7 days straight. Since he came to work on March 1, two pairs of his shoes were worn out. He didn't have any extra day off except the routinely closed Mondays.

Zhang is responsible for the visitor channeling from the assembly square to exhibition halls, and to the mourning square. To enhance the comfort of visitors, our Memorial has placed wooden mats near the audience queue and covered it with a carpet. "I need to keep an eye on them and see if the pieces are all stable, and if any of the visitors in the line doesn’t feel well."

Under the hot sun, with a sweating face and a pair of feet in a hurry - this is the norm when he is at work. From the security check Gate 1 to the assembly square, to the mourning square and to the mass grave site, Zhang Zhi-hua can be seen in almost every corner of the Memorial.

To experience such a big passenger flow for the first time, Zhang admitted that he was with a lot of pressure. "The traffic started to increase today and the venue is basically running at full capacity. We're making sure that the visitors are safe while visiting the site.”

Yesterday, an old man came with his granddaughter to the front of the " Disaster of an Ancient City” sculpture, and pointed to the cross inscribed "1937.12.13-1938.1", said: “This is the beginning and ending times of the Nanjing Massacre. You need to keep that in mind.” The scene moved Zhang a lot. “During National Day holidays, many parents brought their children to visit. Some of the children stepped on the pebbles on the road and their parents taught them not to kick the and to put them back. There were also parents and children who laid flowers for a moment of silence. The Memorial is a place for patriotism education and those parents teach by example and pass it on from generation to generation.”

Whether it’s the Qingming (Tomb-sweeping Festival), Labor’s Day, Dragon Boat Festival, or Mid-Autumn festival, Zhang Zhi-hua is always on duty. For every event in the Memorial, he came to the scene an hour early to prepare. "In my mind, all events are important and to maintain order on site and to serve the visitors well is the responsibility of our front-line security and assistant guides."

Every opening day, he wears his working uniform and a badge pinned to it, and goes on a patrol three times, to check the security facilities, observe the status of on-duty security personnel and assistant guides, so as to maintain the order in the exhibition halls. Fire inspections takes an hour and a half at a time. He said that only by going through them all by himself and seeing with his own eyes is reassuring. That is also why he has worn out two pairs of shoes in six months. "I should buy pairs with foam sole so they are more durable in the future.” He said with a laugh.

Every form of ceremony, whether it’s to raise the national flag and sound the peace bell, or to offer chrysanthemums to the victims, Zhang Zhi-hua regards them as solemn and sacred. He said: “I haven't experienced yet at state memorial ceremonies. I need to get ready. I feel like working in the Memorial is with significance, and I have no regrets no matter how busy and tiring the work gets.”

In order to cope with National Day's large passenger flow, the Memorial Hall started an emergency plan, and all the staff participated in the security work. Zhang Zhi-hua is one of countless staff members who try their best to ensure the safety and experience of all the visitors.

A total of 103,053 people were received today, and the queuing time was 3 to 4 hours. Tomorrow the number is expected to continue to increase, and a reasonably-planned trip is recommended to avoid the peak.

Interviewer and Editors | Yu Yuehua, Pan Linna

Proofreaders | Li Ling, Zhao Yihan

Signer and Issuer | Ling Xi