Veterans of two hometowns, one heart

From the peaceful countryside of Quang Binh province, the soldiers of the past brought with them noble ideals and love for the Fatherland to Quang Tri - the heroic land of fire to fight, work, establish their lives and careers. Half a century after the country was completely liberated, witnessing many changes, the veterans today are happier than ever when "the old homeland and the new homeland" are under one roof.

Mr. Linh with his hobby of growing and producing - Photo: TP

Mr. Diep Hong Linh (born in 1951), a son of Kien Giang town, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, had a heroic and passionate youth when he directly participated in important battles, contributing to regaining peace for the country. In July 1972, carrying with him the aspiration to fight for national liberation, the young soldier and his comrades of Regiment 48, Division 320 became one of the forces directly protecting Quang Tri Citadel.

In that fierce battle that lasted 81 days and nights, many people fell, their blood mixed with the water of Thach Han River, and he himself was seriously injured in the leg. After being treated, he and his comrades continued to make achievements at Cua Viet, the "steel post" of Quang Long, Trieu Trach commune. Not stopping there, on April 30, 1975, he and the Saigon liberation army captured the Independence Palace. The overwhelming happiness when witnessing the image of the heroic red flag with yellow star flying on the roof of the palace, he cannot forget until now.

After the reunification, Mr. Linh was transferred to work at Ben Hai Trading Company, now Hien Luong Trading Joint Stock Company. This is one of the reasons why the son of Quang Binh chose to start a business and build a new life on the heroic land of Vinh Linh.

In 1979, he once again put on a soldier's uniform and participated in the battle to protect the northern border of the Fatherland. Upon returning, he continued to work at Hien Luong Trading Joint Stock Company until 1990, when he retired under the regime. "Born and raised in Quang Binh, but more than half of my life and my family have been attached to Vinh Linh, Quang Tri province. I love this land as my homeland, so I always devote myself, in both wartime and peacetime," Mr. Linh confided.

Mr. Loi (left) always promptly grasps the thoughts and feelings of members - Photo: TP

Returning to normal life, promoting the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, he not only actively participated in local activities and movements, deployed by the Veterans Association at all levels, but also actively developed the economy. Mai Linh restaurant, opened by him and his wife from 1997 to 2021, always had many diners visiting. At present, Mr. Linh and his wife spend more time enjoying their children and grandchildren and taking care of their small garden.

These days, with the news that the two provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh will merge and take the new name of Quang Tri, Mr. Linh is very excited and happy. “Quang Binh and Quang Tri have similarities in language and culture, so the merger is completely reasonable. What could be happier than the old and new hometowns coming together under one roof? I strongly believe that the new Quang Tri province will inherit and promote the internal strength of the two old provinces to develop further,” Mr. Linh shared.

Also participating in the 81-day and night battle to protect the Citadel was veteran Cao Xuan Y (born in 1953). At over 70 years old, along with the pain caused by the aftermath of war, his health declined, and his working style also slowed down. However, when talking about the 81-day and night battle at the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972, his eyes became flexible and his mind was strangely clear.

Mr. Y was born and raised in Duy Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province, but chose to live in a small house peacefully located by the Thach Han river. Enlisting in the army in 1971, he was assigned to unit K8, Quang Tri Provincial Military Command, becoming a direct force to protect the Citadel.

“The war was very fierce back then. I was wounded in the eye and leg. I fought in bloody clothes until they were dry. Unfortunately, my friends and comrades died on the battlefield. When we left our hometown for B, we promised to return together on the day of victory. But now there are still people who have not been found. That is why I chose to stay in Quang Tri town as a way to remember my comrades,” Mr. Y said.

In 1976, he was sent for training by his superiors, then returned to work at the People's Committee of Trieu Hai district, later the People's Committee of Trieu Phong district until his retirement. During his work, he always tried his best to complete his tasks well, and was highly appreciated by his superiors and colleagues. In his role as a veteran of Quang Tri town, Mr. Y always actively participated in the activities and movements of the association, especially the activities of gratitude and repayment. Although his health did not allow it, every year, he still took the time to offer incense at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and martyrs' cemeteries in the area.

CCB Cao Xuan Y regularly updates new information through the press - Photo: TP

Mr. Ý and his wife have a total of 3 children, all of whom have grown up and become useful citizens to society. Now that the whole family has the opportunity to gather and reunite, he often tells his children and grandchildren about the heroic years of his youth and his comrades. Reminding them of the value of today's peace that was exchanged for the blood and bones of previous generations, so that they always strive to study well and contribute their strength and intelligence to the future.

Talking to us, he confided: “My youth has been devoted to this land. For me, Quang Tri is my second homeland because here are my family, relatives and comrades. These days, with the news that Quang Binh - Quang Tri merged into the new Quang Tri, I am even more joyful”. Having gone through many mergers and separations with many changes, veteran Cao Xuan Y still firmly believes that with solidarity and unanimity, soon the new Quang Tri will develop in all aspects, strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the major provinces in the country.

“Quang Binh and Quang Tri were once separated from Binh Tri Thien province, and now they are under the same roof. Quang Binh is where I was born, while Quang Tri is where I have worked and lived for more than a third of my life. Now hearing that the two provinces are under the same roof, I cannot help but feel happy and excited,” said veteran Le Xuan Loi (born in 1958), a son of Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, who has been attached to Quang Tri for many years.

In 1981, after graduating from the Logistics Academy, he was assigned to the Logistics Department, Military Region 4. In 1992, under the assignment of Military Region 4, he worked at the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command, performing the task of ensuring material for living, training and combat in the army. In the same year, he continued to be assigned by the Provincial Military Command to perform the task at the Dong Ha City Military Command until his retirement.

From 1992 to 2010, in his role as Head of Logistics - Engineering, Mr. Loi constantly trained to improve his professional skills; thought, researched, and contributed to building management regulations, building local military logistics at the grassroots and unit levels. Thereby contributing to building a strong logistics sector for the armed forces of Quang Tri province.

Having lived and worked in Dong Ha City for more than 25 years, Mr. Loi feels lucky to always receive enthusiastic help and support from his teammates, neighbors and neighbours. Although they are strangers and not from the same hometown, their sincere affection helps this veteran feel like he is living in his hometown.

After retiring and joining the local Veterans Association, Mr. Loi's sociability and positivity were even more loved by the members. In 2022, he was elected as the Head of the Veterans Association in Ward 1, Dong Ha City. The Veterans Association in Ward 1 currently has 89 members, most of whom are officials, retirees, and have a lot of free time. Therefore, Mr. Loi has made efforts to build and promote the physical education and sports movement.

At the same time, he maintained a fund to support members in borrowing capital for economic development; increased gratitude activities; and promptly visited members when they were sick or in trouble. Thanks to that, under his leadership, the movement of the branch grew stronger and stronger. Over the years, the branch has always been an excellent leading unit in the War Veterans Association of the whole ward.

From the fierce battlefields of the past to the peaceful days of today, the war veterans from Quang Binh are attached to Quang Tri not only through memories but also through their lives and family work.

The merger of Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces is not only an administrative decision, but also a convergence of sentiment, of the past and the present. And perhaps, the belief in a new, strong Quang Tri is not only held by Mr. Loi, Mr. Y or Mr. Linh, but also the common expectation of the people in the heart of the Central region.

Truc Phuong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/cuu-chien-binh-hai-que-mot-long-194473.htm