Memories nurture the desire to rise up

BDK - For me, April 30 this year is not a holiday like every other year; it is not an occasion to plan long trips, or to "escape the city and return to the countryside" to enjoy leisurely days with family and friends. This year, I chose to stay in the heart of Ben Tre City. My family and I had a day to slow down and calm down before a day that is not only a historical milestone, but also an indomitable symbol of the whole nation - the day of Southern Liberation and National Reunification.

Performance in the art performance program celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) in the province. Photo: T. Dong

In the bustling atmosphere celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, I turned on the TV early to watch the national parade. The steady footsteps. The majestic military music. The image of the national flag fluttering on the small screen made me choke up. In that moment, the revolutionary historical memory was reenacted not only through the images on the TV but also through the heart that was beating in my chest.

The atmosphere of celebration was not only in the places where the television news was broadcast. My whole family walked out into the streets. Every street, every roof I saw was filled with the red color of the national flag. From the crowded residential areas to the small alleys of An Hoi ward, Phu Tan ward, from the shops along Dong Khoi Avenue, Dong Tay Avenue... everywhere there were national flags. The red flag with yellow star not only fluttered in the wind, but also whispered stories of the past, about a resilient, great nation and its immeasurable sacrifices.

I suddenly thought, in that flag, how many people have fallen? How many people have gone and never returned? How much pain remains in the bodies and memories of the soldiers who have gone through the war? How many bright smiles on the day of peace have blossomed from that pain and loss...

I did not live through the war, what I know is only what I heard, watched documentaries, and learned about history. But today, walking through the quiet streets of Ben Tre City, looking at each flag flying freely in the sun, I feel like a drum beating loudly in my chest. Then suddenly it becomes cold and quiet like a low note in a heroic song that has never completely stopped.

I realized that sometimes love for one’s homeland and country does not require great things. It can start from the choice to stay, from not seeing the holidays as a mere occasion to rest. From spending a morning watching the parade, an afternoon walking through the streets and peaceful canals flowing through the heart of the city, an evening talking to one’s children about the past and the things that need to be preserved today.

The war has been over for half a century, but peace never comes naturally. It is the result of a long journey, of many generations of people who have passed through, died, and suffered both physical and mental wounds. What I have learned from today is to cherish every moment of peace that I have, not only by enjoying it, but also by being grateful and taking action.

For the past 30-4 years, I have not gone anywhere. But I have gone through a journey in my mind. There, I feel closer to my Fatherland, to Ben Tre City - where I am living, loving and attached to every day.

50 years to look back on that half century with so many changes. Today, when the country is entering a new phase of transformation; including the merger and adjustment of administrative boundaries between provinces. This is not simply a change of boundaries on the map, but opening up new opportunities.

Of course, every step of change always comes with its own concerns. There will be some changes in thinking, lifestyle, work, there will be worries, even doubts about the future. But above all, I believe one thing remains unchanged. That is the love for the homeland in every citizen of the Coconut land. Because I once heard someone say that homeland is not just "the place where the umbilical cord was born and raised" but a larger, deeper concept - homeland is this country of Vietnam.

Administrative changes may cause familiar place names to become part of the new unit. The old names may gradually fade into memory. But the love and responsibility for the land that raised us never fades. We do not only live with the past, but also have the duty to continue writing the future with a sense of responsibility, with the desire to rise up and with confidence in the path ahead.

Di Nhien

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/ky-uc-nuoi-duong-khat-vong-vuon-len-02052025-a146020.html