Three generations under the military banner.

The green of the military uniform is the most precious legacy passed down through three generations of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dong's family in Xuan Hoa village, Tan Quang commune. Following in the footsteps of his parents, who bravely fought on the front lines against the US to save the country, this veteran of the Vi Xuyen front ignited the flame of tradition, which continues to shine brightly in the hearts of young officers today. The oath to serve the Fatherland forever is an underlying ideal that flows continuously under the sacred military flag.

Veteran Nguyen Dinh Dong cherishes and preserves the awards he received during his time in the military.

The tradition is passed down from father to son.

That tradition originated with the late veteran Nguyen Dinh Chinh (born in 1933) - Mr. Dong's father. Amidst the turmoil of war, young Nguyen Dinh Chinh, full of youthful passion, left his hometown of Nghe An , crossed the Ben Hai River (Quang Tri province) to advance deep into the Southern battlefield.

According to Mr. Dong: "My father used to tell me that during the most brutal years of the war against the US to save the country, he directly participated in the transport force, serving in combat on the treacherous Truong Son routes." Undeterred by hardship, Mr. Chinh's nhiệm vụ was intertwined with the blood-soaked and flower-strewn roads: transporting ammunition, delivering food, and opening roads for the front lines – tasks requiring endurance, courage, and unconditional sacrifice. Each sack of rice and box of ammunition carried on the soldier's shoulders back then represented the shared heartbeat of a nation yearning for peace.

Mr. Chinh spent his youth amidst bombs and bullets, then returned home to quietly become a father and grandfather. He didn't talk much about the war, but in that house, the image of a soldier wasn't portrayed through praise, but through exemplary conduct: diligence, discipline, and responsibility. Perhaps that's why the spirit of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army, as embodied by Mr. Chinh, has silently permeated the blood of subsequent generations. Of Mr. Chinh's five sons, three have donned military uniforms, shouldering the mission of building and defending the Fatherland, most notably Mr. Dong.

From the sun-drenched, windswept land of Nghe An, on March 10, 1979, young Nguyen Dinh Dong left his hometown and marched to the fierce Vi Xuyen front to continue his family's heroic saga of defending the country. “On the front lines, amidst the smoke and fire, I served as the platoon leader of the transport platoon. Like my father before me, I shouldered the responsibility of transporting the wounded and delivering food and supplies to my comrades,” Mr. Dong recalled. His years of dedication to the border were recognized with the Glorious Soldier Medal and many other prestigious commemorative medals from Military Region 2 and Division 314. Not only was he resilient on the battlefield, but he also used his singing to drown out the sound of bombs while contributing to the propaganda team of Division 314. Bombs and bullets, songs and blood, flowers on the border seemed to hold onto the soul of the young soldier. And so, in 1983, upon his discharge, he decided to choose Tan Quang ( Tuyen Quang ) as his second home, a place he would remain for life.

According to Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Tan Quang commune: "Returning to civilian life, the qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho remain intact in him, quietly shining through each specific action. He once held a cultural position at the Tan Quang commune People's Committee, contributing to preserving and spreading good values ​​in the community. After leaving his position, he lived simply, exemplarily, and was close to the people, earning their trust and affection. For many years, his family has been recognized as a 'Family of Diligent Learners,' a 'Culturally Advanced Family,' and a 'Clean House, Beautiful Garden' - a testament to a persistent and exemplary lifestyle from the battlefield to everyday life."

Looking back on the journey so far, Mr. Dong said emotionally, “The most valuable asset of my wife and I is our four grown-up children. If our eldest daughter chose to dedicate herself to cultural and social work at the Tan Quang Commune People's Committee, our second daughter chose a career in education, and our two sons both followed in our footsteps, becoming army officers.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chung teaches his children and grandchildren to play musical instruments, sowing the seeds of love for their homeland and country through these early melodies.

Continue writing the marching song.

The love for the green uniform of the army came naturally to Mr. Dong's two sons, blossoming from the fiery memories, the stories of training grounds and camaraderie their father recounted over tea every evening. And so, despite facing many bright future paths – like their eldest son, Nguyen Dinh Chung, who excelled at being accepted into three universities simultaneously – both brothers steadfastly chose the Army Officer School 1 to continue the glorious family tradition.

Lieutenant Colonel Chung is currently the Commander of the Military Command of Sa Phin border commune. Nearly 20 years of rigorous training under strict discipline have left a strong mark on his many positions. His collection of commendations and certificates, especially the Third-Class Glorious Soldier Medal (2015) awarded by the President, is the truest measure of his unwavering loyalty and dedication to the Army, the Fatherland, and the People. Commenting on him, Do Quoc Huong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Sa Phin commune, shared: “Comrade Chung is a capable, dedicated, and decisive commander. His mark is clearly demonstrated through the strength of the commune's armed forces and the spirit of military-civilian solidarity that is always nurtured and maintained.”

While his older brother, Nguyen Dinh Nghia, was a seasoned veteran on the border, he left a strong mark as an Assistant for Mass Mobilization Affairs in the Political Department of the Border Guard Command (Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command). He directly participated in dangerous missions: extinguishing forest fires on the Tay Con Linh mountain range, and risking his life in the search and rescue operation following a serious landslide in Ta Mo village (formerly Yen Dinh commune) that resulted in 15 casualties. He also actively contributed to various volunteer programs for the community. Thanks to his unwavering resolve and tireless dedication, he received a Certificate of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and a Certificate of Commendation from the Ha Giang Provincial Youth Union (formerly). All of this paints a picture of a talented, courageous, compassionate, and dedicated young officer committed to the well-being of the people.

The military tradition of Mr. Dong's family continues not only through his sons but also extends to new members. One such member is his son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Ngoc Do, a Cryptography Officer at the Pho Bang Border Guard Post. Mr. Do shared: “I used to feel pressured by the long-standing family tradition on my wife's side. But the strict, disciplined family values, like a ‘miniature unit,’ have become a spiritual anchor, helping me to steadfastly dedicate myself and contribute to maintaining peace on the border of our Fatherland.” From this tradition, the ideals continue to be nurtured in the fourth generation. Tran Ngoc Tuan, Mr. Dong's grandson, currently in 11th grade, has already cultivated a love for the military uniform and dreams of becoming a Special Forces officer in the future.

From the Ben Hai River of yesteryear to the northernmost borderlands, and then to the glorious platforms of peacetime, three generations of one family have woven an epic of patriotism. The oath to serve the Fatherland has become a family tradition, a spiritual source passed down persistently and brilliantly through each generation.

Thu Phuong

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202605/3-the-he-duoi-bong-quan-ky-7d44926/