Two veterans hope to end the noise with students during the parade

A week after the unfortunate incident, two veterans Le Van Bang and Nguyen Van Minh, the elite sons of the 429th Special Forces Brigade, a unit that made an important contribution to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, took the time to share with Dan Tri reporters on May 6.

Instead of reiterating frustration, the story of the two old soldiers opened up profound perspectives on tolerance and steadfast faith in the country's future, entrusted entirely to the younger generation.

"We were sad, but quickly got over it"

Veteran Le Van Bang (born in 1954, living in Hoa Binh) gently shared: "When faced with sad events, we feel a bit sad, but we think it is just a small collision in life. The important thing is to quickly let it go, keep a peaceful mind to live happily, be healthy and witness the daily changes of the country."

Mr. Bang also warmly recounted that, right after the incident, there were still students who warmly welcomed the two men in and fanned them for an hour, an action that made the old soldier feel sincerity and sharing.

Recalling the meaningful trip to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification organized by the 429th Special Forces Brigade, Mr. Bang told about the warm and respectful welcome from the people and authorities of the southern provinces where they fought.

"Returning to the old battlefields in the provinces of Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre..., we received a lot of affection. That was a joy, a great encouragement," he said.

^{A group of young people surrounded two veterans Le Van Bang and Nguyen Van Minh to listen to their battle stories (Photo: Provided by Students).}

Despite their old age and poor health, the two men still tried to join that historic trip, because in their hearts, the memories of their comrades and the heroic years were always alive. He also thought that in 5-10 years, he would not have enough health to visit the old place.

After the incident, Mr. Bang was busy with phone calls from relatives, classmates, comrades in arms, etc. He said that he is no longer sad about the incident.

Sharing the same thought, veteran Nguyen Van Minh (living in Chuong My, Hanoi) expressed his desire to close the unhappy story. "We believe that it was just a spontaneous, isolated action of a few people. The important thing is to create an opportunity for the children to reflect and correct their mistakes," Mr. Minh affirmed.

During the trip, we met many enthusiastic young people who loved history and asked about the battles to protect the Fatherland. We always put our full faith in the young generation to continue to build the country to become more and more prosperous.

Veteran Nguyen Van Minh

Understanding the public's concern, both veterans expressed their wish that the online community would close the unfortunate incident because to them, individual actions do not reflect the entire feelings and awareness of today's youth.

Instead of continuing to spread negative information, the two men hope that the online community will look at the problem thoroughly and avoid harsh words that could hurt those involved, including students and their families.

Above all, the two old soldiers hope that the story will die down to make room for positive information, examples of good people doing good deeds, and especially stories about the heroic history of the nation, contributing to building a humane society and full of faith in the future. They hope that these sacred memories will foster patriotism, arouse pride in the hearts of every young person.

Memories of unforgettable battles

In the memories of Lieutenant Le Van Bang, the fierce battles of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign are still vivid. He belonged to Company 3, Battalion 13, the unit that was assigned to fight the enemy from Hau Nghia, Long An to Phu Lam Radar Station, an important link in the enemy's communication system.

His unit's vital mission was to cut off enemy communications, then capture the Y-shaped bridge, opening the way for the main army to advance straight to the Independence Palace. This was a difficult mission.

On April 28, 1975, Mr. Bang’s unit split into several groups to attack Phu Lam Radar Station. After two days of fierce fighting with the enemy, his unit shut down the enemy’s communications capabilities, paving the way for the 232nd Division to enter Saigon. Although victory was near, the losses were still too great.

"During the three days of fighting from April 28-30, 1975, many of my comrades fell. The blood of the soldiers soaked the battle at Phu Lam Radar Station. This was a decisive and final battle for us," Mr. Bang recalled with tears in his eyes.

As the enemy fled, news of the surrender of President of the Republic of Vietnam Duong Van Minh reached them. Mr. Bang and his army marched straight into the Independence Palace, where the victory flag was proudly flying.

After half a century, returning to the place where his comrades sacrificed, Mr. Le Van Bang could not help but be moved: "Seeing Ho Chi Minh City develop, I am both happy and miss my comrades. You stayed here for the day of reunification. You left and never returned...".

We wish to witness today's young generation marching, to feel their pride, to see how they continue and promote the traditions of their fathers and brothers. We expect from you their strength, from how you promote the strength of your fathers and brothers to protect the Fatherland today and tomorrow.

Veteran Le Van Bang

Face deeply dented by bullets

Also belonging to Brigade 429, wounded soldier Nguyen Van Minh, a soldier of Company 27, Battalion 78, bears a deep wound on his face from a battle in Long An.

Bullets flew straight into his face, but with the spirit of a special forces soldier, after recovering, he firmly refused to return to the rear, volunteering to return to the combat unit.

In the crucial battle, he and his comrades held Nhi Thien Duong bridge (District 8), ensuring the vital route for the main army to advance. Right before the victory, the battle was still fierce, and many of his comrades had sacrificed their lives.

He shared that he recently returned to Ho Chi Minh City to bring the remains of his comrades who died on April 28-30, 1974 back to their families and hometown.

Over the years, liberation soldier Nguyen Van Minh has been tirelessly searching for his comrades' remains. That sorrow has become emotional verses, such as "The Durian Tree in Dak Nong" which he wrote when he failed to find his comrades:

Mr. Minh choked up as he read the lines of poetry again:

Durian trees in Dak Nong

Thousands of miles away, planted here

With so many memories full

Heads fall and blood flow during the war days

Bury the body for the grass to grow green

Blood spilled on the durian branch

Bu Bong, sacred Kien Duc

Why doesn't the wind blow to return the name to the person?

So sorry, comrades!

Has name, has age but still anonymous

Lifetime of planting roots and creating branches

Let the sweet fruit become durian.

Among the 13 comrades who died in Dak Nong whose remains he could not find, Mr. Minh remembered most comrade Nguyen Huu Chung and Vu Khac Hai - the platoon's political commissar. He told about the political commissar's promise to join the Party right before the fateful battle.

"Before the battle, Hai promised to admit me to the Party that night. However, that very night, he died. When he lay down, he only had time to say one sentence: "Mom, I can't go home anymore." I was also wounded in that battle but luckily survived. When peace was restored, it took me a long time to find his house," Mr. Minh recalled.

When they died, some soldiers only had time to say one sentence: "Mom, I can't come back"... Now that we are living in peace, we miss our comrades even more.

Veteran Nguyen Van Minh

Looking at the peaceful country, in the hearts of old soldiers Le Van Bang and Nguyen Van Minh still surged the longing for their comrades, who had forever remained on the battlefield.

Deep in the hearts of those soldiers, pride in the glorious past always goes hand in hand with faith in the younger generation. They expect the strength and spirit of today's Vietnamese people to continue the tradition of their ancestors, building an increasingly beautiful and powerful Vietnam.

The greatest wish of two veterans Le Van Bang and Nguyen Van Minh is that the stories of heroic fighting and silent sacrifices will be forever engraved, fostering patriotism and national pride for future generations.

The story of tolerance and faith is a source of great spiritual strength, spreading good values ​​in today's society.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/hai-cuu-chien-binh-mong-khep-lai-on-ao-voi-cac-sinh-vien-dip-le-dieu-binh-20250504012741137.htm