Memories of a time of war and fire

Veteran Huynh Thanh Sang (residing in Ben Luc commune) was moved when he looked back at old photos.

From hatred to determination to take up arms and fight.

One peaceful morning, in his simple little house, veteran Huynh Thanh Sang (born in 1954, residing in Ben Luc commune, Tay Ninh province), his hair now white, slowly poured tea. When recalling the years of war, his eyes gazed into the distance, remembering his comrades from the trenches where they fought. "Returning alive after the war was something I didn't dare think about during the years of resistance, because back then, life and death were as fragile as a thread," Mr. Sang said.

Born into a family with a revolutionary tradition, Mr. Sang developed a patriotic spirit early on. In 1968, when his three older brothers were killed one after another, the overwhelming grief transformed into a fighting spirit. "Overwhelmed by hatred, I decided to take up arms to fight for my homeland, and together with my comrades, regain independence and freedom," Mr. Sang shared.

On June 27, 1972, he enlisted in the army, joining the armed security forces at the C51 School of the Ministry of Public Security in the South, located in Cambodia. After six months of arduous training, he returned and was assigned to the position of Squad Leader of the Armed Security Force in Ben Luc District, Long An Province.

In 1973, while moving to a base in Long Trach commune, Can Duoc district, he and his comrades were unexpectedly ambushed by the enemy. Although only slightly wounded, he never forgot that life-or-death moment. “The feeling of helplessness at not being able to save my comrades still haunts me to this day. The more I witnessed the sacrifice, the more I refused to give up. I was determined to fight to the last breath, not only for myself but also for those who perished,” Mr. Sang recounted in a somber voice.

During a subsequent raid, upon returning to his base in An Thanh commune, Ben Luc district, he was discovered by the enemy. A sudden barrage of bullets rained down on his hiding place. “The explosions were deafening, and dust and smoke filled the air. I only felt a sharp pain spreading throughout my body before I fainted. Severely wounded, I had to be hospitalized for a whole month,” Mr. Sang recounted.

After the reunification of the country, returning to civilian life, veteran Huynh Thanh Sang continued to contribute to his homeland as an officer in the Security Department of Ben Luc District. For him, peacetime did not mean the end of his duties, but rather a continuation of a journey to protect and preserve the achievements of the revolution. In 2013, he officially retired. Now in his twilight years, veteran Huynh Thanh Sang still maintains the qualities of a soldier from his past. He frequently reminds his children and grandchildren to live uprightly, work honestly, be self-reflective to improve themselves, and absolutely never do anything that would harm the honor and traditions of the family.

The glorious memories of the veterans are not only a golden page in the nation's history but also a reminder for today's generation to cherish peace , live with ideals, and dedicate themselves to the Fatherland with all their passion and responsibility.

The steadfast female messenger

Former female liaison officer Nguyen Thi Ben (residing in My Thanh commune) visits the field – a place once closely associated with the years of the resistance war.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ben (born in 1950, residing in My Thanh commune) joined the revolution at the age of 12. She served as a liaison officer in Nhi Binh commune, Thu Thua district, Long An province. Her main tasks included delivering letters, news, and directives from higher levels to the grassroots and vice versa.

Mrs. Ben recounted: “Every other day, I would set off on my mission, regardless of sun or rain. To avoid detection by the enemy, I often chose more remote and difficult trails. Sometimes I even took on the task of buying and transporting supplies, weapons, and ammunition for the local troops. Those years were incredibly hard, but the hope for peace and independence was the strength that helped me overcome everything.”

In 1972, while on a mission, she was discovered, captured, and brutally tortured by the enemy for over eight months. Despite being beaten and electrocuted, she remained steadfast, refusing to betray her comrades, protecting her comrades and the organization.

In 1973, she fell into enemy hands again. “At that time, I was seriously wounded and then captured and imprisoned. They moved me from Thu Duc, Tam Hiep, and Chi Hoa prisons before sending me to Con Dao for interrogation. For three years behind bars, I tried to keep up with the war situation and maintain my faith in the day of complete victory,” Mrs. Ben recalled.

“And then, that sacred moment arrived – April 30, 1975, the day of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. When I heard the news that President Duong Van Minh had declared surrender, I was overwhelmed, unable to express the emotions in my heart. At that moment, I cried, but they were tears of joy at victory, of overflowing happiness,” Mrs. Ben recounted emotionally. Upon her return, the petite body of the former courier was covered with war scars. After her silent contributions and sacrifices for the revolution, Mrs. Ben became a 4th-degree disabled veteran.

Having endured years of dangerous and fierce fighting, the soldiers dedicated and sacrificed their youth without hesitation for the country's independence and peace. The heroic memories of these veterans are not only a golden chapter in the nation's history but also a reminder to today's generation to cherish peace, live with ideals, and contribute to the Fatherland with all their passion and responsibility.

Nhu Quynh

Source: https://baolongan.vn/hoi-uc-mot-thoi-hoa-lua-a199728.html