Memories of the days of resistance
At the age of nearly 80, for Mr. Le Xoàn, former officer of the Propaganda Department of Long An Division 23, the memory of the heroic years of the soldier doing propaganda work during the resistance war against America to save the country is still intact.
During the period 1960 - 1975, the Propaganda Department of Long An Division 23 operated in many fields such as press, printing, literature and arts, propaganda, and education. Its main task was to communicate ideology, strengthen belief, and affirm the determination to fight and defeat the US among cadres, party members, soldiers, and the masses. At the same time, they were the soldiers who directly filmed films, wrote articles, and propagated the victory of each battle of the army and people of Long An.
Mr. Le Xoàn reviewed the book History of Propaganda Department of Long An Province (1930 - 2010)
The resistance war against the American imperialists of our people was extremely fierce, the propaganda work went through many different stages. The Propaganda Department of Division 23 Long An had a very difficult area of operation, the soldiers operated right in the enemy's heart. There were times when we controlled the ideological battlefield with a very strong press force, there were times when the enemy suppressed fiercely, many propaganda officers were imprisoned, even sacrificed.
Mr. Xoàn recounted that in 1970, at the Ben Thu District Party Committee Office base, on My Phuoc Islet, My An Phu Commune (now My An Commune, Thu Thua District), the Propaganda Subcommittee was urgently preparing documents, slogans, and leaflets for an important propaganda campaign when they were suddenly surrounded and attacked by the enemy.
“At that time, we were meeting to discuss the printing plan when the enemy suddenly raided. The situation forced us to evacuate the documents and find a way to retreat. Many cadres in the subcommittee were arrested, tortured and sacrificed to preserve the secrets of the revolution. We did not directly hold guns, but every step on the propaganda front could face danger. Each page of documents, each line of words sent out was an ideal, a dedication with all the intelligence, blood and tears of soldiers without military ranks,” Mr. Xoàn shared with a choked voice.
During the day, the enemy patrolled and controlled strictly, while the subcommittees and cadres in the unit switched to nighttime operations, ensuring that appeal letters, leaflets, banners, and slogans reached the strategic hamlets. The propaganda content was written concisely, easy to understand, easy to remember, clearly outlining the enemy's plots and tricks, fostering patriotism and determination to fight the enemy.
Mr. Xoàn said: “Each time the agency moved to a new location, the propaganda officers had to both avoid the enemy and find places to build bases, shelters, find places to hide typewriters, printing plates, papers and other important items, while focusing on the task of distributing newsletters, leaflets, orders, appeals from superiors, etc.”
Through those difficult years, Mr. Le Xoàn was honored to be awarded the First Class Resistance Medal and the First Class Victory Medal, in recognition of his contributions to the resistance war against the US to save the country in the South.
Meeting old comrades - those who keep the fire of ideology burning in the battlefield
In the memory of Ms. Vo Phuong Lan (also known as Bay Lan), one thing is always engraved: a propaganda officer, at any time, must maintain a steadfast stance, a pure heart, a heart for the people, close to the people, and respect the people.
At the traditional meeting of the Propaganda Department of Long An Division 23, Ms. Lan emotionally said: "Although more than half of my life has passed, when I meet my comrades who fought side by side during the fierce years of war, I feel like I am reliving a time of youth full of dedication and ideals."
Half a century has passed since the country was reunified. Those who once worked on ideological work in Division 23 Long An are now old and weak, with gray hair and wrinkled skin. Many of them have returned to their homeland, and many valuable mementos have been lost over the years. However, the memories of that time are still intact, vivid, sacred and full of spirit.
This year’s meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Although not as crowded as before, each look, each tight handshake, each old story told in a trembling voice was still filled with pride.
Ms. Vo Phuong Lan (front row, 3rd from right) at the traditional propaganda meeting of Division 23 Long An
They not only reunited with their comrades but also returned to themselves, people of a time of youth dedicated, sacrificial and tireless resilience. Young propagandists like us were moved when listening to those shares, to understand that propaganda work during the war was not only about making newspapers and leaflets but also about bringing the truth hidden in the film, bringing faith to each word.
It was during those difficult years that propaganda officers became living symbols of ideological power, a clear demonstration of the key role of propaganda, encouragement, and orientation in the struggle for national liberation.
Ms. Lan recalled that at that time, propaganda work always closely followed reality, associated with the consistent slogan of action: "The whole people fight the enemy". That motto contributed to creating the strength of national unity, together creating the everlasting value of Long An "Loyalty and steadfastness, the whole people fight the enemy" - eight golden words that made the heroic land famous, in which the Propaganda Department of Long An Division 23 made a significant contribution.
Memories may fade over the years, but the revolutionary ideals, dedication and loyalty of the propaganda cadres will forever be an unquenchable flame, preserved, inherited and continued by today's generation./.
Hoai Yen
Source: https://baolongan.vn/ky-uc-cua-nguoi-can-bo-ban-tuyen-huan-phan-khu-23-long-an-a194566.html
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