After 50 years of meeting again, the people who went through the long march now have gray hair, their faces are marked by the wrinkles of time. They are the young men and women of the 20th century, living and fighting during the days when the whole country went to war. Their bare feet and steely will have established heroic feats that seem like legends. After the war, the people who were witnesses to history live simply and humbly, so that when they meet again, they shake hands, their eyes sparkle with joy, tell stories of the past, and are more proud of their traditions and cherish the camaraderie.

Veterans, former youth volunteers, and militiamen offer incense at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street (Hanoi).

At the age of 77, Lieutenant Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Van Xuan is still healthy and has a hearty voice. On his shirt, the hero's uniform is sparkling with medals and badges. He excitedly recounts a time of passionate youth. In 1972, young Tran Van Xuan, a student at the University of Water Resources, put down his pen and went to war, assigned to Battalion 172, Regiment 64, Division 361 (Air Defense - Air Force). The situation on the battlefields was very fierce, enemy aircraft bombed and dropped bombs on the combat formations of infantry units, causing many losses. At this time, the Soviet Union provided shoulder-fired missiles 9K32 Strela-2, called A72 when it returned to Vietnam. Applying it to actual combat, gunner Tran Van Xuan researched the sight of the 12.7mm gun and then created a pickup frame for the A72. With homemade weapons and creative, intelligent, and brave fighting style, sniper Tran Van Xuan excelled, shooting down 8 planes, terrifying the enemy.

During the days when the whole country went to war, generations of Uncle Ho's soldiers overcame all hardships, made sacrifices, dared to fight, were determined to fight and won with intelligence and courage. During the fierce war, countless officers and soldiers sacrificed or left a part of their flesh and blood on all battlefields. Returning to daily life, the soldiers of the past stood in the ranks of more than 3 million war veterans, together building the precious tradition of Vietnam's war veterans: "Loyalty, solidarity, exemplary, innovation".

With the heroic and resilient fighting spirit of the troops, the Youth Volunteer Force has made enormous contributions to the resistance war against the US to save the country. Wherever the battlefield needed Youth Volunteer Force to be present, wherever there was an enemy, Youth Volunteer Force would be deployed. More than 280,000 male and female Youth Volunteer Force enthusiastically went to the front, becoming a special force, ready to undertake heavy tasks in most hot areas, serving selflessly under fire, ready to sacrifice for the battle routes and fighting side by side with the troops to destroy the enemy.

In the historical memories, former Youth Volunteers, Labor Hero Nguyen Thi Kim Hue recalled the years of serving and fighting under the rain of bombs and bullets. In 1965, Ms. Hue volunteered to join the Youth Volunteers. She was the Squad Leader of Squad 6, Company 759, a Youth Volunteers unit with the code name N75, serving on Route 12A in Minh Hoa District (Quang Binh). This was a vital route, heavily bombed by the US Air Force to prevent the supply of human and material resources to the southern battlefield. Every time she entered the battle, she and her teammates were given a live memorial service. As a Squad Leader, Comrade Hue had many life and death experiences, was buried under bombs, and when she regained consciousness, rushed into the battle line, cleared unexploded bombs, leveled the road, bravely and steadfastly made living markers, promptly cleared traffic, and safely passed the key points.

Veterans, former youth volunteers, and militiamen met to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification at the Ministry of National Defense Hall.

Being present at the Independence Palace on the afternoon of April 30, 1975, Colonel Nguyen Khac Nguyet, former driver of tank No. 380, Brigade 203, felt extremely lucky to witness the day of national reunification. Reminiscing about his comrades, he expressed his gratitude to those who had fallen. Veteran Nguyen Khac Nguyet recorded in the book "Journey to Independence Palace" simple and sincere confidences: "The journey to that day of victory was not as easy as some people thought. In terms of space, it spanned thousands of kilometers, in terms of time, a thousand days or so, with many losses, sacrifices, heroics and cowardice, nobility and baseness, glory and bitterness...".

During the meeting, those who went through the war felt lucky to still be healthy enough to meet their comrades and talk about the past. Time has passed, but the camaraderie is forever strong and steadfast. They bonded together to overcome everyday hardships, fully expressing gratitude to their fallen comrades. The flesh-and-blood people who lived a beautiful life like a legend, dedicating their youth to the Fatherland, still preserve the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, the image of the excellent Youth Volunteers and Militia, becoming a source of love, pride, and a beautiful symbol in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. Today's generation will forever remember the merits and show deep gratitude to the generation who sacrificed and contributed to "The Fatherland soars into the boundless spring".

Article and photos: DUC NAM

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/hoa-lua-nam-xua-nghia-tinh-con-mai-825168