Beichuan, a county that perished in the quake with more than 15,000 dead and several thousand missing, and has since been closed for epidemic prevention, was reopened to some 20,000 mourners on Tuesday.

"We decided to reopen the county for just one day, because we understand how these people feel," said Beichuan deputy mayor Qu Yong'an. "They have to mourn their dead family members on this particular day."

A downpour and subsequent mudflows in the day failed to disturb the grief-laden survivors of Beichuan, who tried hard to find the final resting places of their beloved ones, in the rubble of toppled homes and school buildings.

"Didn't you tell me you wanted a little brother or sister? Mom and dad promise to get you one -- someone as good and pretty as you were," a father choked in the ruins of Beichuan Middle School as he lit firecrackers and offered snacks to mourn his deceased daughter.

A boy stood nearby holding a group photo of his classmates, many of whom died in the quake. "Next year I'll take the college entrance exam," he said. "I'll do my best and try to enter a top university. And I promise I'll come back to share with you everything about my new life."

Exactly three months ago, on May 19, the whole nation had stood in silent tribute to mourn the quake dead, from top leaders in the central government compound of Zhongnanhai to ordinary people on the street.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)