Late in the afternoon, standing thoughtfully at the National Martyrs' Cemetery on Highway 9, gazing up at the deep green Trường Sơn mountain range in the distance, I heard the song echoing in the wind : "A country girl goes to save the nation / Her hair is green, her hair is full / Her hands break rocks to open the road / Hardships must retreat, making way for her to advance"... The atmosphere of the cemetery in the afternoon seemed to soften, the scent of frangipani flowers clinging to this sacred place. I felt regret, remembrance, and pride for the outstanding sons and daughters of the nation who fell for the peace of our country today.
Illustration: N. DUY
I read the diary of Doctor and Martyr Dang Thuy Tram and understood why, in the entry dated July 14, 1969, she confided to her mother: "...Tomorrow, amidst the triumphant songs, I will not be here. I am proud to have dedicated my entire life to the Fatherland. Of course, I am also bitter that I will not be able to continue living the peaceful and happy life that everyone, including myself, shed blood and bones to win back. But what does it matter? Millions of people like me have fallen without ever enjoying a single day of happiness, so what is there to regret?"
Dang Thuy Tram was a woman who yearned for peace; she went south to fight for peace and independence for the nation.
And more importantly, the diary's journey over the past 35 years reflects a burning desire for peace, as the person who kept the diary had participated in the war, and the horrific memories of war haunted him throughout his life.
The wind through the realm of memories blows endlessly with time. Rising from the pain and loss of war, we cherish the value of peace even more. I have visited Quang Tri Ancient Citadel many times, and each time, I cannot hold back my tears when reading the two letters from martyrs Le Binh Chung and Le Van Huynh to their families during the fierce battles to defend the citadel.
The grass at the foot of the Ancient Citadel remains lush and green even in July. Perhaps life is nurtured by intangible values, so that today, when reflecting on the Thach Han River, people's hearts are filled with emotion, expressing gratitude through the candles illuminating the river during the lantern festival, carrying the hope for peace.
It's not just the Thach Han River; in this land of outstanding people and rich history, every river that flows through it bears the mark of an incredibly miraculous legend. Here, I want to mention the Hieu Giang River, flowing towards Cua Viet, which preserves the footsteps of Princess Huyen Tran, a virtuous woman who dedicated herself to expanding the borders of Dai Viet; and the O Lau River, which holds the traces of countless heartbreaking and poignant love stories of the women who were born, bathed, and grew up on this riverbank.
Life, once full of splendor, eventually returns to dust, leaving behind only heartbreaking love stories; like the Ben Hai River with the Hien Luong Bridge spanning it. Just a long, wide river with a few oars, yet it has carried the pain of separation for decades.
In the past, present, and future, I believe that Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River will always stand tall as a monument embodying the aspiration for unity, carrying the message of peace that the Vietnamese people send to humanity worldwide .
And in today's triumphant song, the pride of those young men from a time of bloodshed still resonates : "We went without regret for our lives / (How can those in their twenties not regret their lives?) / But if everyone regrets their twenties, what will be left for the Fatherland? / The grass is so vibrant and warm, isn't it, my dear...?" ( Thanh Thảo).
"That's right! Just like this afternoon, the wind still blows endlessly from the Highway 9 Martyrs' Cemetery to the Hieu River and continues to blow to the foot of Hien Luong Bridge, it's the wind of memories, of the past, surging with a yearning for peace."
An Khanh
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