The final meeting

“With the deepest love, respect, and sorrow for Major General Phan Khac Hy – the last general of the Truong Son Army Command,” Colonel Dinh Cong Ty said, his voice choked with emotion. On the afternoon of September 17th, Major General Phan Khac Hy returned to the legendary Truong Son, to his beloved comrades and fellow soldiers...

Earlier, on September 16th, Colonel Dinh Cong Ty visited Major General Phan Khac Hy at Thong Nhat Hospital (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) as usual. Upon seeing him, Major General Phan Khac Hy told his daughter, "Uncle Dinh Cong Ty has come to visit."

Colonel Dinh Cong Ty never imagined that it would be his last meeting with Major General Phan Khac Hy - his superior during the years of fighting on the Truong Son "front line".

Major General Phan Khac Hy with the people of Lang Ho village at the inauguration of the new village during the Truong Son Solidarity Program (organized by Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper).

At 90 years old, having endured so much pain witnessing the sacrifice of comrades in numerous battles, Colonel Dinh Cong Ty shed tears: “It’s such a great loss. Mr. Phan Khac Hy just received the 80-year Party membership badge a few months ago. He was an immense support for his children, grandchildren, and comrades in the Ho Chi Minh Trail Truong Son Tradition Liaison Committee in Ho Chi Minh City.”

Recalling the time when he began his duties on the Truong Son trail, Colonel Dinh Cong Ty shared that in 1954, after participating in the historic battle of Hill A1 during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, he returned to learn to drive and worked as an instructor at Driving School 255.

In 1965, the 255 Driving School was given the special task of selecting highly qualified officers and soldiers to receive 100 new vehicles carrying food and weapons to the Southern battlefield. He was the Political Commissar of Company 5 of the convoy.

The convoy was tasked with delivering vehicles and supplies to the 559th Regiment of the Truong Son Army, marking the beginning of his and his comrades' assignment on this route.

During the time Colonel Dinh Cong Ty was the Political Commissar of the 11th Vehicle Regiment, under the 32nd Supply Depot, Major General Phan Khac Hy closely monitored the route.

"As a deputy commander on the Trường Sơn front, we frequently met with Major General Phan Khắc Hy regardless of the weather, day or night, always coming to inspect the situation," Colonel Đinh Công Ty recalled – the image of the brave, knowledgeable general, always loyal to his comrades and subordinates, flooded back to him.

According to Colonel Dinh Cong Ty, even in peacetime, Major General Phan Khac Hy remained deeply concerned about the losses and the promises he made to his comrades during the war.

"He was witty, always laughing and talking, but he had many heartfelt thoughts about the Truong Son Mountains. He frequently visited his fallen comrades, had many programs focused on the families of martyrs, and especially wished to educate his children and grandchildren about the revolutionary traditions," said Colonel Dinh Cong Ty.

Colonel Dinh Cong Ty contacted a few comrades to attend the funeral of Major General Phan Khac Hy, his eyes welling up with tears.

Now, the legendary generals, his comrades and fellow soldiers, have all returned to their motherland. He hopes that the younger generation will continue to inherit and develop the revolutionary tradition; showing gratitude and emulating the example of their ancestors.

"When I returned from the hospital, I had arranged to visit Mr. Phan Khac Hy on a later occasion. That appointment didn't materialize, but he passed away, leaving behind immense sorrow, respect, and gratitude from those who remain," Colonel Dinh Cong Ty said emotionally.

The funeral of Major General Phan Khac Hy will be held at the National Funeral Home in the South, No. 5 Pham Ngu Lao Street (Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City).

The wake will begin at 7:00 AM on September 20th.

The memorial service will begin at 5:00 AM on September 21st. Burial will take place at the Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery.

THU HOAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cuoc-gap-go-cuoi-cung-post759534.html