April Call

BPO - As April arrives, my heart sinks in the quiet, windless afternoons. On the old wooden chair in front of the house, my father - a former soldier - still sits there, silent, his eyes gazing into the distance as if watching something both familiar and strange. I know that he is reliving the days of his youth, the unforgettable memories of a historical era.

My father was born in 1954, at a time when the country was still divided. At twenty-one, he joined the armed forces. During the Spring Offensive of 1975, he was one of the soldiers who fought fiercely in Xuan Loc ( Dong Nai province ) – considered the "steel gate" protecting Saigon. He recounted that his unit marched through the night, crossing rubber forests and rocky streams, carrying ammunition and rations, gradually approaching the battlefield. "The artillery roared day and night, the ground shook as if it were about to crack. There were days of heavy rain, our clothes were wet and cold, our feet were covered in mud, but no one complained. We only had one goal: to open a path into Saigon and regain peace." My father said, his eyes brightening though his voice had become noticeably deeper.

April sunshine was as golden as poured honey. I had just left the office and called my father as Saigon was bustling with preparations for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country. He answered the phone, his deep, steady voice echoing through the air: “Some of my old comrades called to invite me back to the old battlefield, son. To Saigon, to revisit some old places… but I probably can’t go.” I asked, half-jokingly, half-seriously: “Do you remember the way there?” He chuckled softly: “Of course I remember. Xuan Loc – Long Khanh – then Saigon. The road is bumpy, but the people’s hearts are burning with passion.” Then he fell silent for a moment: “But my health is failing now. I can’t travel far anymore. Well, watching it on TV will do. Is this year’s celebration going to be a big deal, son?”

My heart sank. I knew my father still remembered every step of those marches, even though time had clouded his memory. Every April, he would take out his old radio, dust it off, play a war song, and sit silently for hours. In his eyes, I saw a part of his youthful memories still intact, just waiting for April to come alive again. “Back then, all I wanted was peace , my child. Some people went and never came back…” My father used to say, his hand still caressing the now-cold cup of tea.

I grew up in peace, unaware of bombs falling or separations. But each of my father's stories is a vivid slice of history, helping me better understand the value of freedom and the silent sacrifices behind the news of victory. People like my father don't boast about their achievements, they don't claim to be "heroes," they simply live decent lives quietly and preserve their memories.

I told my father during that phone call, "If you can't make it, I'll go in your place. I'll go back from Xuan Loc to Saigon, visit all the places you used to stand, take pictures and videos for you to see. You can tell me about it, and I'll carry all those memories with me." My father softly murmured, his voice gentle as the evening breeze, "That makes me happy."

April is not just a time of changing seasons, but also a season of memories, where the image of my father sits thoughtfully on the porch, where the soldiers of yesteryear can now only "march" through memories. And for me, my father is not just a father, but also a bridge that helps me understand, appreciate, and preserve the sacred values ​​of our nation. A call in April. A journey yet to begin. But I believe that in my heart, my father will always be with me, like the soldiers of yesteryear who, though no longer marching, still cherish their memories and faith.

Hello, dear viewers! Season 4, themed "Father," officially launches on December 27, 2024, across four media platforms and digital infrastructures of Binh Phuoc Radio and Television and Newspaper (BPTV), promising to bring to the public the wonderful values ​​of sacred and beautiful fatherly love.
Please send your touching stories about fathers to BPTV by writing articles, personal reflections, poems, essays, video clips, songs (with audio recordings), etc., via email to chaonheyeuthuongbptv@gmail.com, Editorial Secretariat, Binh Phuoc Radio and Television and Newspaper Station, 228 Tran Hung Dao Street, Tan Phu Ward, Dong Xoai City, Binh Phuoc Province, phone number: 0271.3870403. The deadline for submissions is August 30, 2025.
High-quality articles will be published and shared widely, with payment for their contributions, and prizes will be awarded upon completion of the project, including one grand prize and ten outstanding prizes.
Let's continue writing the story of fathers with "Hello, My Love" Season 4, so that stories about fathers can spread and touch everyone's hearts!

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/171617/cuoc-goi-thang-tu