Preserving the fiery era in each memento.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, war relics are still cherished by veterans as an indelible part of their memories. From rusty bullets and faded canteens to time-worn diaries… all are not only testaments to a time of war, but also contain the sacred bond of camaraderie.

Collections of memorabilia

Formerly a soldier, Mr. Tran Anh Yen (born in 1948) from Trang Son 6 hamlet, Luong Son commune, served in the 302nd Division, fighting in the Quang Tri , Southeast, Central Highlands, and Cambodia battlefields. Returning to civilian life, Mr. Yen cherishes the items he brought back from the battlefield, such as his cell phone, cassette player, flashlight, and parachute hammock.

Mr. Tran Anh Yen with his collection of war relics. Photo: Cong Kien

During his visits to former battlefields, he often made an effort to collect war relics. After many years of diligently collecting, his collection now comprises dozens of artifacts.

Mr. Yen's collection includes many relics brought back from the battlefields of Southern Vietnam, such as a shovel and pickaxe used for digging trenches and fortifications; a saw and axe used for felling trees to build barracks; a flashlight used for marching at night in the forest; and an oil lamp used in deep underground bunkers.

Mr. Tran Anh Yen brought this radio back from the battlefield. Photo: Cong Kien

The canteen and water bottle, essential for daily eating and drinking, are familiar and indispensable items in a soldier's equipment. In particular, the unit's political officer's radio is considered by Mr. Yen to be the most meaningful memento of his time as a soldier.

During marches, especially in the Truong Son mountain range, where they traveled by day and rested by night, with heavy loads of weapons and ammunition on their shoulders, the soldiers still tried to stay close to their political commissar to listen for news from all over the country.

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"During gatherings with friends, comrades, neighbors, or family members, everyone wants to hear about the purpose and significance of each artifact. I can give a presentation, even a whole day, about my collection of war relics, because each artifact is associated with a memory, a story of a soldier's life, with years of hardship but also pride..."

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A priceless diary

More than half a century has passed, and the diary of Mr. Ho Trong Thanh (born in 1954) in Yen Ha hamlet, Hung Nguyen commune, has faded, the handwriting gradually becoming blurred over the years. But for its owner, it is truly priceless, something irreplaceable, because it is connected to his youth, his wartime experiences, and the heroic and glorious days of his life.

Mr. Thanh confided: "I've had the habit of keeping a diary since I was a student. During the war years, I wrote three books. Unfortunately, when I left them at the base camp to go on military campaigns, two of them were lost upon my return. Now, only one book remains, recording my participation in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign."

Mr. Ho Trong Thanh next to his battlefield diary. Photo: Cong Kien

Mr. Thanh's preserved diary contains nearly 100 pages, with neat and straight handwriting, and is still easily readable. The first page bears the inscription in red pen: "Diary page from my homeland in the South," alongside the author's name and unit: Team 59 - Regiment 70.

The entry, recorded in the diary as April 8, 1975, reads: “ We marched continuously day and night. The sun in our homeland of the South was scorching. The exhaustion was indescribable. However, the news of victory in the South made the fatigue disappear; the road to the battlefield today was resplendent with flags and flowers…”

Next, from April 9th ​​to 15th, 1975, soldier Ho Trong Thanh recorded quite detailed accounts of the march's events and his thoughts and feelings. Everything was imbued with a fighting spirit and a sense of victory; everyone felt that triumph was very close, practically within their grasp.

The battlefield diary entries of Mr. Ho Trong Thanh. Photo: Cong Kien

The following day, and the last day recorded in the diary, was April 21st. The entry still revolved around the march: “ Night had just fallen. The marching order was issued. Everyone was now relaxed, ready to embark on their combat mission. I guessed it was to liberate Bien Hoa. Oh my! What could be more joyful than this, to fight and avenge my fallen comrades, fellow soldiers, and loved ones… ”

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Finally, the explanation for being unable to continue writing in the battlefield diary was: " The Ho Chi Minh Campaign, an immortal golden chapter in history, but sadly, having to follow the rapid-fire army, I couldn't record those glorious moments. Remember them forever! " These lines were written in Trang Bom (Bien Hoa).

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"These battlefield diary entries help me preserve heroic and glorious memories and remind me to live up to the sacrifices of so many comrades and fellow soldiers."

Veteran Ho Trong Thanh

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/giu-lai-thoi-hoa-lua-trong-tung-ky-vat-10334936.html