An immortal epic called Mother

Turning the pages of "Heroic Vietnamese Mothers of Thai Nguyen Province" (published in 2019), words that seemed to have been stained by time suddenly come alive in the reader's heart. Each name, each fate is a slice of history, an epic written with blood, tears, and unwavering patriotism.

Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Cong is currently living with her family in Group 7, Tuc Duyen Ward ( Thai Nguyen City).

In Thai Nguyen province, 579 mothers were awarded or posthumously awarded the prestigious title of "Heroic Vietnamese Mother"—a number that speaks volumes about the immense and silent contributions of these mothers in this revolutionary midland region. Of these, only 13 are still alive today. Each mother is a sacred living witness, reminding us of the price of peace and the lesson of gratitude that today's generation must remember.

Arms that protect history

The war is long over, but the pain of losing their dearest loved ones remains vivid in the memories of these mothers. They are the wives and mothers of fallen soldiers, who not only endured the grief of losing their husbands and sons but also shouldered the burden of raising their children amidst bombs, bullets, and poverty. They are the "lights that never go out" in the dark night of history.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Cong, born in 1929, currently residing in Group 7, Tuc Duyen Ward (Thai Nguyen City), is one such mother. Originally from Quynh Phu, Thai Binh province, she moved to Thai Nguyen with her family in 1962. Both her husband and son are martyrs (her husband, Mr. Nguyen Duy Bo, enlisted in 1950 and died in 1952; her son, Nguyen Van Huyen, enlisted in 1973 and died in 1975 in the Southern battlefield). Currently, she lives with her eldest son, Mr. Nguyen Truong To.

Despite being 96 years old, Mrs. Cong's health is still quite good. Mr. To recounted: "When my father died, I was only 5 years old. At that time, the French invaders frequently raided our village, burning houses and arresting villagers. My mother had to carry me across the river to escape the invaders, then she would catch crabs and snails to feed my three siblings and me. Some nights, she would weave baskets while cooking cassava instead of rice. Not only did she raise her children, but she also participated in women's activities in the commune after peace was restored."

In 1962, following the State's policy of building new economic zones, although not obligated to relocate, Mother Cong's family voluntarily left their hometown and moved to the mountainous area of ​​Tan Thanh (Phu Binh) to clear land and establish a new life. It was a courageous act – because this mother not only endured loss but also dared to make changes to find a way to survive for her children and grandchildren.

Mr. To said emotionally: "My mother was a woman who spent her whole life enduring hardship and silently enduring. Every time someone mentions the phrase 'Heroic Vietnamese Mother,' I feel both proud and choked up. It's not just a title, but a recognition of the contributions of my mother and countless other mothers across this country."

Besides the story of Mother Cong, there is also Mother Tran Thi Ruan - a Vietnamese Heroic Mother, currently living in Binh Thanh commune (Dinh Hoa district). While Mother Cong is the image of a woman who endured hardship and silently raised her children amidst wartime, Mother Ruan is a witness to the unforgivable losses of war when her two sons successively sacrificed their lives on the battlefield.

Last February, in a small house in Binh Thanh commune (Dinh Hoa district), Mother Ruan's 101st birthday celebration took place in a warm and emotional atmosphere. Her frail figure and wrinkled skin, bearing the marks of countless years of hardship, sat amidst her children and grandchildren, beside portraits of her deceased husband and two sons, a living witness to history.

Celebrating the 101st birthday of Heroic Vietnamese Mother Tran Thi Ruan in Binh Thanh commune (Dinh Hoa district).

Mother Ruẩn gave birth to nine children. In 1968, her eldest son, Bùi Văn Ta, enlisted in the army and fought on the battlefield in the South. Later, her fifth son, Bùi Văn Thắng, also volunteered to fight on the northern border at the young age of 22. Within just five years, she received news of the deaths of two of her sons. The pain was heartbreaking, but she never once complained or blamed fate.

Ms. Bui Thi Chin, Mother's youngest daughter, shared emotionally: "Mother is very weak now, but whenever someone comes to visit, she gets teary-eyed. She doesn't remember all the names anymore, but she still tries to hold people's hands, as if to hold onto a little warmth from her distant children."

Since 2014, Thai Nguyen Newspaper has been providing lifelong support to Mrs. Tran Thi Ruan. In addition to annual financial assistance, the newspaper's staff regularly visit, encourage, and care for her as if she were their own family. These small acts, imbued with immense love, have helped to alleviate some of the losses she has experienced.

Lessons about gratitude

The Heroic Vietnamese Mothers of Thai Nguyen, each a living history book, carry within them different stories and unique destinies, yet all share one common point: silent sacrifice and immeasurable patriotism. They dedicated their youth and their entire lives to the revolution, silently enduring loss without a word of complaint, like candles persistently burning through the storms of history.

Joining hands with the government and various organizations, many businesses and social organizations in the province have been actively carrying out the "Gratitude and Repayment" work, supporting and caring for the Mothers until the end of their lives, gradually improving their material and spiritual lives. These actions are not only a political responsibility, but also an expression of the affection, morality, and gratitude of the entire community.

The war is long over; today's generation may never have heard the sound of gunfire or witnessed separation, but through the life stories of these mothers, they learn a profound lesson: Peace is a reward earned through blood and tears, and gratitude must be deeply ingrained in their hearts. Through their own lives, these heroic Vietnamese mothers have written an immortal epic, a silent but resounding saga that will forever echo in the nation's heart.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202505/khuc-trang-ca-bat-tu-mang-ten-me-0af1197/