Immortal mark in the heart of the nation

VHO - In the peaceful countryside of My Ha, Tan My commune, Quang Tri province, there is a place that has become a sacred symbol in the hearts of many generations - the place where the historic departure ceremony of Division 341 to the Southern battlefield took place on February 3, 1975. This is not only a place marking the important event of a heroic unit, it is also the crystallization of the blood relationship between the army and the people, between the desire for peace and the will to win of the Vietnamese people.

Monument marking a glorious time

Located along the Kien Giang River, My Ha - My Thuy (former Quang Binh province) used to be a land rich in revolutionary tradition, where the 341st Mobile Infantry Division - Song Lam Group - stationed, trained and prepared for the historic march to the Southern battlefield.

Strategic location, favorable terrain, and the strong support of local people have turned this place into a solid rear base for one of the main divisions of the Vietnam People's Army.

Relic site

In the boiling atmosphere of spring 1975, at the football field of My Ha village, Division 341 solemnly held the Ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Ceremony to send troops to participate in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign - the campaign that decided the fate of the country. The ceremony to send troops was not only a military order, but also an oath of loyalty of tens of thousands of cadres and soldiers before the Party, the Fatherland and the people: "Once we go, we arrive, once we fight, we win".

The military departure ceremony on February 3, 1975 had profound historical significance, marking the transition from force building to strategic offensive, demonstrating the remarkable maturity in organization, spirit and fighting strength of a unit considered the "iron fist" of the Ministry of National Defense .

Thousands of officers and soldiers of Division 341 wrote volunteer applications, some in blood, expressing their determination to leave for the beloved South, for the independence and unification of the Fatherland.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, awarded the certificate of ranking as a provincial historical relic.

It was from this land that the young soldiers carried the advice of General Vo Nguyen Giap, carried the faith of the people of Quang Binh, of the whole country, entered the Eastern battlefield, established glorious feats in Xuan Loc, Trang Bom and contributed to the liberation of Saigon at noon on April 30, 1975 - successfully ending the resistance war against the US to save the country.

Appreciation and promotion of relic values

More than half a century has passed, this relic not only has pure historical value but also converges many important layers of value. The relic is the place that marks a turning point in the process of national unification. The battles at Xuan Loc, Trang Bom, Bien Hoa... later contributed to tearing apart the defense line of the Saigon government, bringing the country to the day of complete independence.

The veterans who attended the historic departure ceremony of the 341st Division now returned to visit the old battlefield with tears in their eyes because this land was the place where the exemplary military-civilian relationship between the 341st Division and the people of My Thuy crystallized. The people gave up their houses, contributed labor and money, and were closely attached to the soldiers during the difficult training days. That relationship became a living symbol of the tradition of “the army and the people are like fish and water” – a prominent feature of the art of Vietnamese people’s war.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan and representatives of Division 341 took souvenir photos at the relic site.

The war has been over for more than half a century, this relic is a valuable "red address" to educate the tradition of patriotism, national pride and civic responsibility for today's and future generations. Over the years, on the occasion of February 3, April 30, July 27, December 22... local people and veterans have returned here to burn incense, tell stories and recall heroic memories.

Nowadays, the relic has become a stopover in journeys to learn about revolutionary history, attracting domestic and foreign tourists. In particular, organizing extracurricular activities for students here will contribute to spreading patriotism and fostering noble ideals for the younger generation.

It can be affirmed that the relic “Where Division 341 held the ceremony to send troops to the Southern battlefield on February 3, 1975” is a vivid symbol of the spirit of resistance, a place where the will and strength of national solidarity crystallized. Honoring, preserving and promoting the value of the relic is to awaken the source of national pride, foster patriotism, responsibility and belief in a developing and everlasting Vietnam.

In order to commemorate the merits of the officers and soldiers of Division 341 and to show gratitude to the land that sheltered them, the Memorial House at the old military departure ceremony site was rebuilt on the old football field with an area of over 1 hectare. The construction of the monument is not only a memorial activity, but also affirms the position of the land of "fire testing gold" in the resistance war, a concrete step to promote the value of the monument in the development of culture, education and tourism.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/dau-an-bat-tu-giua-long-dan-toc-154662.html