Mother's Memories (Part 2):

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - As we write these lines, only 44 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers remain alive out of a total of over 4,500 in Thanh Hoa province. However, very few of them are still mentally alert – their memories are fragmented, some intact, some faded. But deep within their minds, the image of their husbands and sons, who have sacrificed themselves for the nation and its land, remains. We record these stories, sometimes only quiet memories, pieced together and carefully gathered from accounts, from glances, and even from silence, as an expression of reverence for the Mothers and as a heartfelt tribute to those who have passed away forever.

“At this age, my only wish is to find the remains of my two children and bring them back to our homeland,” said Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Toan, her face benevolent, her hair neatly tied back with a headscarf, blinking as if trying to hold back the emotions welling up in her reminiscence.

Approaching the age of "being in this world," my mother's life story has drifted away with the passage of time into the realm of memory. However, the longing for her two sons who sacrificed their lives and whose remains have yet to be found has remained a constant ache for over half a century, a cycle of hope and disappointment.

Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Toan lights incense at the altar dedicated to her two sons who sacrificed their lives.

Toan's mother has nine children, seven sons and two daughters – all born and raised in Thanh Phu village, Dong Thanh commune – where she currently lives, waiting for her children. Her eldest son, Trinh Van Tuan, born in 1951, enlisted in the army in 1968; just one year later, he was killed in action. Next, her second son, Trinh Van Tu, born in 1954, enlisted in the army in 1970; in 1974, he was a special forces soldier deployed to Cambodia and died in action, his burial place unknown.

Toan's mother said sadly, tears blurring her deep-set eyes: "Both of them enlisted in the army at 18, joined the special forces, and were killed in action. They left when they were young, I don't have any photos, and their remains haven't been found yet."

We avoided looking into our mother's eyes. On the altar, placed prominently in the center of the house, were two certificates of recognition from the nation, used as memorial photos.

Every year, on the anniversary of her son's death or on the 15th and 1st day of the lunar month, Toan's mother lights incense and stands before the altar, praying that her children will soon return to their hometown.

Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Toan.

My mother said, "Both of my sons are kind, well-behaved, and responsible. When they joined the army, neither of them had a girlfriend; they were solely focused on protecting the country." Then, with a sigh, she added, "My husband also served as a civilian worker on the front lines in Laos, and later worked at a food warehouse..."

Both of my children are kind, well-behaved, and responsible. When they joined the army, neither of them had a girlfriend; they were solely focused on protecting their country. My husband also served as a civilian worker on the front lines in Laos. During the years he was away, I single-handedly raised my young children.”

During the years her husband was away fighting in the war, without a single letter or piece of news, my mother silently bore the burden of longing for her husband and children, and endured countless hardships to raise her young children. Her only hope was that when the country achieved peace and reunification, the whole family would be reunited.

In 1990, Toan's mother's husband fell seriously ill and passed away, unable to be with her to wait for the day to bring their children back to their hometown. With her husband gone, she once again packed up her grief to honor him and wait for her children.

Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Toan with her son and daughter-in-law.

Ms. Hoang Thi Hoa, the fifth daughter-in-law of Mrs. Toan, who also takes care of her daily meals and sleep, shared: “Mrs. Toan always misses and longs to find the remains of her brothers. My family has tried everything to find them, going to martyrs' cemeteries, sending messages to their comrades... but her wish has not yet come true. Most recently, the Provincial Police came to collect DNA samples to find the remains of the martyrs. Hopefully, we will soon find the remains of my brothers so that Mrs. Toan can rest in peace.”

“My mother is kind and benevolent, loved and respected by her children, grandchildren, and neighbors. Authorities at all levels also regularly visit and encourage her during holidays and festivals. In recent years, her health has deteriorated significantly, and her hearing is no longer good. My family takes turns caring for and encouraging her, so that she can enjoy time with her children and grandchildren in her old age,” Mrs. Hoa further shared.

Portrait of Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Toan, painted by artist Dang Ai Viet.

The war is long over, but the suffering, losses, and sacrifices of the Heroic Vietnamese Mothers are immeasurable. Paying tribute to these Mothers is also about forever remembering the heroic martyrs – those who shaped the nation so that present and future generations can continue to write the story of peace.

Linh Huong

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Lesson 3: "At 17, Hoi secretly wrote a letter volunteering to enlist in the army... and then he never came back."

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-uc-cua-me-bai-2-me-chang-co-buc-anh-nao-chung-no-hy-sinh-cung-chua-tim-duoc-hai-cot-254686.htm