- Changes in the Máng Diệc valley
It was the tragic afternoon of March 17, 1970, when more than 70 cadres, soldiers, and civilians of Lung Mang Diec perished under enemy bombardment. According to local accounts, at approximately 2:30 PM, enemy reconnaissance planes, while surveying the Lung Mang Diec area, detected signs of human presence. Minutes later, helicopters appeared. The screeching of rotors filled the sky, followed by a barrage of bullets and artillery fire. For over an hour, the area was engulfed in smoke and flames.
Then, one of our officers returned fire, halting the attack and causing the helicopters to withdraw. People rushed out of their shelters, searching for loved ones, helping the wounded, and gathering whatever they could find. But the silence didn't last long. About 30 minutes later, the helicopters returned.
The second attack lasted until 5:30 PM. Twice in one afternoon. Twice life was pushed to its limit. 72 people fell, including 48 residents of Lung Mang Diec and 24 people from Tan Thanh, Tan Loc, U Minh, Kien Giang, Can Tho ...
In Hamlet 4, Tri Phai Commune, that pain doesn't remain in the past but is present in every home. Mrs. Huynh Thi Cuc's family lost three relatives that afternoon. For many years, every March, she has prepared a memorial meal. As she says, it's not just for her own relatives, but for all those who have passed away.
At the family altar, Mrs. Huynh Thi Cuc remembers her loved ones who fell under the bombs and bullets on March 17, 1970.
From shared losses, a custom was formed: the entire village commemorates the anniversary of a death together. Without distinction between families or boundaries, on the anniversary of the death, the local authorities and residents prepare a meal and light incense to remember the deceased.
Mr. Vo Van Diep, Secretary of the Party Branch of Hamlet 4, Tri Phai Commune, who has spent many years going from house to house recording the list of victims, shared: "There are families who lost many relatives on the afternoon of March 17, 1970. Recalling the memories is not intended to stir up pain, but rather a way for those who are alive to preserve the memories of the deceased and to cherish the value of today's peaceful days."
Mr. Vo Van Diep, Secretary of the Party Branch of Hamlet 4 (far right), has quietly gone from house to house for many years, recording the list of victims of the March 17, 1970 event, preserving the indelible memory of Lung Mang Diec.
Over half a century has passed, and Hamlet 4 has transformed: smooth, paved village roads; lush, fertile fields and gardens; spacious houses; and an increasingly improved standard of living for its residents... However, what is truly valuable is not only the changing appearance of the village but also the historical memories that have been preserved through the years.
Mr. Truong Van Phuc, a commune official from the post-war generation, expressed: "We are living in peace, and that didn't come naturally. Living and working well today is a way of showing gratitude to those who dedicated and sacrificed themselves for that peace."
On May 28, 2015, Lung Mang Diec was recognized as a Provincial-level Historical Monument. However, for the local people, its value lies not only in the title but also in the fact that the memory is still preserved through the annual communal commemoration.
The Lung Máng Diệc site was recognized as a provincial-level historical site in 2015, becoming a place that preserves the community's memory of the war and those who have passed away.
In Lung Mang Diec, April not only evokes the joy of peace and national reunification but also serves as an opportunity to reflect on the losses of the past. Amidst these two contrasting emotions, the people maintain a simple principle: remembering together so that no one is forgotten.
Nguyen Dao - Chi Thuc
Source: https://baocamau.vn/lung-mang-diec-vet-thuong-and-su-tri-an-a128409.html
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