DTO - In the early days of July, when the whole country was looking towards the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2025), we had the opportunity to return to the land of Kpong Ta Bet, Pray-Veng province (Kingdom of Cambodia) - where the soldiers of Team K91 ( Military Command of Dong Thap province) are diligently carrying out the sacred mission of searching for and collecting the remains of martyrs. In the midst of a strange land, there is a person who always stands side by side with them as an indispensable part of that journey of love - that is Uncle Hen, an elderly overseas Vietnamese, a former soldier who participated in the resistance war against America.
Uncle Hen (second from right)
Uncle Hen's real name is Le Phuoc Hung, he is over 80 years old this year. He is a Vietnamese who has lived in Kpong Ta Bet district since he was a child. In 1968, following the sacred call of the Fatherland, he volunteered to join the Vietnamese army and was assigned to do logistics work in Military Region 8. The years of living, fighting and serving with the army left indelible memories in the old soldier's heart. After the war ended in 1976, he was demobilized and returned to live a simple civilian life at Kpong Ta Bet market.
The deep camaraderie and understanding of the losses and sacrifices of the soldiers in the past became the driving force that urged Uncle Hung to accompany Team K91 from the early 2000s, when the unit began carrying out the mission of searching for and collecting martyrs' remains in Cambodia.
With his knowledge of the area and his reputation in the community, Uncle Hen became the “bridge” between Team K91 and the local people. Every day, he quietly searched, collected information, verified every trace, every story passed down by word of mouth about the places where the martyrs had fallen. When Team K91 returned to work, he proactively approached, provided information, and even did not hesitate to lead the way and support the search in the scorching sun of the border area.
Uncle Hen confided: “I used to fight with my comrades. I understand what a soldier’s sacrifice is. Now, as long as I am alive, I still have the responsibility to bring my comrades back to the motherland.” That simple saying contains the whole heart of an old soldier, who always lives with all his love and loyalty to his deceased comrades.
For the officers and soldiers of Team K91, Uncle Hen is not only a valuable source of information, but also a relative and spiritual support. Every time the Team comes to the area, he always brings a few gifts, sometimes a palm fruit, sometimes a bowl of home-cooked soup... Every time he discovers the remains of martyrs, even in the harsh midday sun, he still stands quietly waiting until the last grave is brought up. There are remains that when found were corroded by tree roots, he chokes up with tears.
Lieutenant Colonel Vo Thanh Dan - Captain of Team K91, emotionally shared: “Over the past 20 years, Uncle Hen and us have found more than 300 martyrs’ remains. He has never received any compensation according to the regime. On the contrary, every time he knew the Team was coming to work, he always prepared gifts for his brothers as if they were family members.”
Without showing off or making a fuss, Uncle Hen's dedication and noble actions are a living testament to the loyalty of a Ho Chi Minh soldier in a foreign land. He is a beautiful symbol of comradeship, historical responsibility and deep gratitude to those who have devoted their youth to the Fatherland.
The story of Uncle Hen is not only about loyalty to comrades - it is also an inspiring example of gratitude, the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source" and the desire to heal the pain of war.
NGUYEN TRUNG TUYEN
Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/cau-chuyen-nghia-tinh-voi-dong-doi-cua-chu-hen-132806.aspx
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