Memories of the Great Victory

Decades have passed, but the hardships, sacrifices, and struggles of their comrades and themselves still remain vivid in the memories of the former Trường Sơn Youth Volunteers. They were the ones who built the legendary Trường Sơn Road, contributing manpower and resources to the Southern battlefield, leading to the great victory of Spring 1975 and the reunification of the country.

Former Youth Volunteers of C271, P31, N237 - Construction Team 67 Truong Son, met to celebrate their traditional day.

Having successfully completed their Youth Volunteer Corps duties more than 50 years ago, the former Youth Volunteers of C271, P31, N237 - Construction Unit 67 of Truong Son still maintain contact with each other through the liaison committee. Every year, the C271, P31, N237 - Construction Unit 67 liaison committee organizes a reunion at least once on the anniversary of their enlistment (April 14, 1969).

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Chung, from Dong Son ward, was deeply moved when she reunited with her former comrade, Mr. Nguyen Duy Chanh, from Dong Quang ward. Memories of the past flooded back. Back then, Mrs. Chung and Mr. Quang, both from the old Dong Son district, fought in the fierce battles of the former Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. These comrades, far from home, quickly forged a bond of camaraderie, treating each other like siblings, sharing meals, clothes, and a common purpose. Meeting Mr. Chanh – a small, thin but agile young man – she considered him like a younger brother. For three years, while working to level roads and fill bomb craters to ensure smooth traffic flow, Mrs. Chung, Mr. Chanh, and many of their comrades endured many hardships. They slept under the open sky, patched roads at night, and used flashlights to guide passing vehicles…

Ms. Chung recounted: "During that time, I remember most vividly the bombing of Team 34. At that time, we were filling in bomb craters and had to flee to our hiding place. After the Americans stopped bombing, the entire unit searched for our comrades. As a nurse, I also had to go in different directions to dig up the piles of earth that had buried our comrades and carry them back. In that battle, 78 comrades were hit by B52 bombs and died. Today, they still rest peacefully in the cemetery on Highway 16A, at the Dân Chủ intersection, Hướng Hóa district, in the former Quảng Trị province. Despite the hardships and ferocity, we never wavered in spirit. As soon as the bombing stopped, we would set out on our mission, regardless of day or night..."

Former Trường Sơn Youth Volunteers Nguyễn Thị Chung and Nguyễn Duy Chánh met and greeted each other warmly.

After completing her assignment, Ms. Chung returned to her hometown and continued working as a nurse at the former Dong Son District Hospital. Ms. Chung recounted: “We were on duty at the hospital when we heard the news that the South had been completely liberated. Everyone cheered, hugged each other, and cried. At that moment, I missed my comrades terribly. Many comrades had sacrificed their lives, and some had transferred to the army to fight directly in the arduous battles, contributing to the Great Victory of Spring 1975 and the reunification of the country.”

Sitting on a stone bench, Mr. Ha Xuan Hung from Dong Son ward tearfully recounted stories of his comrades from the past, who had helped build roads and fought directly on the battlefields, as if slow-motion film clips were playing before his eyes. “After three years serving in the Truong Son Youth Volunteer Force, in 1972, I transferred to the army, joining the 303rd Division, Military Region 7 (Saigon) – a unit directly involved in fighting at Long Khanh, Ba Ria, and Bien Hoa, opening the northeastern gateway to Saigon to advance towards the Independence Palace. Particularly noteworthy was the battle at Bien Hoa Airport on April 28, 1975, where my unit occupied enemy strongholds to seize food, weapons, and establish bases. During this battle, I was wounded in the hand and thigh by the blast pressure of bombs, and my comrades bandaged me, but I still managed to get up and fight. Because of my hearing impairment and the chaos of war, I got separated from my unit and followed another unit into Saigon to continue fighting and advance towards the Independence Palace. Fortunately, I witnessed the historic moment when the army and people celebrated the victory on April 30, 1975. People came out in droves, waving and throwing flowers.” Clapping and singing to celebrate the victory. Although my hearing was poor at the time, I felt the joy of our soldiers and people with my eyes and senses. I cried amidst the crowd; my comrades from my unit weren't there, but I felt incredibly warm and joyful, forgetting even my bleeding wounds. It wasn't until May 1st that I found my unit, the 303rd Division."

Former Youth Volunteers of C271, P31, N237 - Construction Team 67 Truong Son, met to celebrate their traditional day.

Nearly 60 years have passed since their enlistment, and many former Trường Sơn Youth Volunteers now have gray hair and bent backs, but the memories of those difficult and heroic days of youth dedicated to the Fatherland remain vivid in their minds.

Mr. Hoang Manh Hung, Chief of the Office of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Veterans Association, Head of the Liaison Committee C271, P31, N237 - Construction Committee 67 Truong Son, said: "For each of us, the camaraderie and solidarity among the militia on the battlefield have become invaluable sources of motivation. With peace restored and the country undergoing many changes, we still connect with each other and organize trips to the historical sites to pay tribute to our comrades and revisit the old battlefields. This serves both to reconnect with comrades and to educate the younger generation about patriotic traditions."

Text and photos: Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-uc-ngay-dai-thang-286229.htm