The years of "bombs and bullets"
The song "Cuc, where are you?" during the pilgrimage to their roots made the veterans of Regiment 121, Division 345 cry on the day of their reunion. They met in Phu Tho , where the Regiment was established and first stationed. After 46 years, with their hair turning gray, their faces, worn by time, still burned with pride for the glorious years of fighting.
Recalling the past years of fighting, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien, former Battalion Commander of Battalion 6, Regiment 121, former Commander of the Yen Bai City Military Command, still vividly remembers the sound of gunfire echoing in the sky of Hoang Lien Son in 1979.
He said that the war on the northern border was short-lived, but left serious consequences. The 121st Regiment was assigned to intercept the enemy in the direction of Lao Cai town. The young soldiers, in their twenties, faced the enemy's "human sea" tactics, with fierce shelling from H12, 130 mortars and many other weapons.
"At that time, we were assigned to defend Coc San, Nhac Son, and Kim Tan bridge number 4. The enemy outnumbered us 8, even 10 times. But thanks to our brave spirit, the Regiment fought bravely, annihilating thousands of enemy troops and destroying many enemy tanks and artillery," said Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien.
Talking about bravery, Mr. Tien shared about the 6-day and night battle to capture bridge number 4, in Cam Duong area.
"Under the command of Captain Do Van Du, Company 9, Battalion 6 repelled many enemy attacks, holding the position until noon on February 23. Although the enemy force was many times larger, the soldiers fought steadfastly until their last breath, contributing to stopping the enemy's advance," said Mr. Tien.
Having fought at the 368 Bat Xat peak, Lao Cai (old), wounded soldier Nguyen Xuan Nguyet never forgot that fateful morning.
"Early in the morning of February 17, 1979, we were on duty when we received news that war was breaking out at the border. Without hesitation, the unit marched straight to the high point, fighting side by side with our comrades to hold the post. The enemy was numerous, using human wave tactics, but we still held on steadfastly," Mr. Nguyet recalled.
In that fierce battle, Mr. Nguyet was seriously injured, the shell hit his chest, and both legs were broken by shrapnel. Despite being disabled for life, he was still proud: "After the war, from family to society, we always contributed and were proud to be Uncle Ho's soldiers."
Talking about old stories, veteran Vu Huu Thanh has not forgotten the difficult and miserable years.
"At that time, everything was scarce, we shared each piece of dry food, cassava, wild vegetables, banana flowers. The weather was harsh, rainy and windy, we didn't have enough food, didn't have enough warm clothes, but we still tried hard, encouraged each other to overcome it," Mr. Thanh choked up.
Blood and bones have soaked into mother earth
Remembering his comrades, wounded soldier Tran Duc Minh, former soldier of the Propaganda Team of Regiment 121, choked up. He said, in the fire of the war at the northern border in 1979, the soldiers of Regiment 121, Division 345 wrote an immortal epic with blood and tears. Every inch of Hoang Lien Son land is soaked with the sacrifice of our comrades.
"I still remember clearly that night, my comrade Nguyen The Tang, from Vo Mieu commune, Thanh Son district (former Vinh Phu province) was seriously injured. In his delirium, Tang asked me: "Is it morning yet?", I said: "Not yet, it's still very dark!". Tang asked again: "Why is it so bright?", I comforted him and replied: "It's the bright moonlight!".
Then, early in the morning of March 4, 1979, Tang breathed his last, sacrificing himself just one day before the General Mobilization Order of the President on March 5, 1979," Mr. Minh choked up.
And there were many other comrades, including Nguyen Trung Luc, from Tam Son commune, Cam Khe district, Vinh Phu province (now Phu Tho), a comrade of the Tuyen Van Team and a 12.7mm gunner, he was seriously injured and was transported from Kim Tan to Da Dinh but did not survive.
"That night, I knelt beside him at Da Dinh stream to encourage and comfort him, but his wound was too severe and he breathed his last...", Mr. Minh tearfully recounted.
In memory and gratitude to fallen comrades, during the 78th reunion on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs Day in Minh Dai commune, Phu Tho province, veteran Tran Duc Minh proposed and wished to work with the Liaison Committee and veterans to build a Memorial in Lao Cai (old) to pay tribute to fallen comrades.
Talking about the sacrifice of his comrades, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tien shared: "Bridge No. 4 is a key point. If the enemy wants to advance to Cam Duong, they must pass through this place. After days of steadfast defense, 15 of our comrades sacrificed and will forever remain here."
"The blood and bones of the soldiers of Regiment 121, Division 345 seem to blend into the motherland of Hoang Lien Son. It is not only an immortal epic but also an urge for today's young generations to live better and more meaningful lives," Mr. Tien emphasized.
Disabled soldiers strive to build their lives
The war is far away, the veterans of Regiment 121, despite having many wounds on their bodies, still strive to live and dedicate themselves. Among them is veteran Tran Duc Minh, former soldier of Tuyen Van Team, Battalion 6, Regiment 121, despite losing half of his hand, he and his teammates and veterans have strived to build and establish Kinh Do TCI Group; build many large projects in the capital Hanoi.
He shared: "The war is over, but there are so many soldiers who have remained forever in remote border areas. We, the survivors, must live well and responsibly to build our homeland and be grateful to those who have passed away."
In memory and gratitude, over the years, he and the Liaison Committee and veterans have regularly organized programs to support families of martyrs. On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2025), he and the Liaison Committee visited his comrades and organized many gift-giving activities for families of martyrs and wounded soldiers in Minh Dai commune, Phu Tho province.
Touched by the meaningful work of the veterans of Regiment 121, Mrs. Ha Thi Kim Them, wife of martyr Da Ngoc Chien (Phu Tho) shared: "When my husband died, I was very young, with two young children. After he died, I stayed single and raised my children to adulthood. The care of the Liaison Committee of Regiment 121 over the past time has always been a great source of encouragement, helping me - those who remain - feel more warm-hearted and determined to live well."
Acknowledging the many meaningful activities of the Liaison Committee, Mr. Hoang Anh Nghia, Chairman of the People's Committee of Minh Dai Commune shared: "We acknowledge the companionship and care of the Veterans Association of Regiment 121. That care is not only a material gift but also a great source of spiritual encouragement, expressing the deep affection of today's generation for those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland".
Promoting the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source", in recent years, the Party Committee, government and people of Minh Dai commune have always paid special attention to taking care of policy beneficiaries and people with revolutionary contributions.
"We regularly visit, give gifts, support house repairs, create conditions for economic development for families with preferential policies; at the same time, organize traditional education activities for the younger generation, so that today's and future generations always remember and are grateful for the contributions of previous generations," Mr. Nghia shared.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ky-uc-nhung-nguoi-linh-giu-bien-cuong-to-quoc-post649841.html
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