Each poem, each song, is an expression of gratitude.

There are historical milestones that will never fade, namely the noble sacrifices of our heroic martyrs. To commemorate and express gratitude for their immense contributions, the appreciation of today's generation is not only shown through practical actions but also resonates in every poem and song. These creations are not only heartfelt narratives but also a bridge connecting the past with the present, reminding us of a glorious and heroic era.

Composer Diep Vam Co has always had a special affection for the soldiers on the front lines of the Fatherland.

From the memories of Long Khot to the lyrics of Vong Co folk songs.

"Tribute to the Soldiers of Long Khot" is a three-verse vong co (traditional Vietnamese folk song) composed by Diep Vam Co to commemorate and honor the soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives on the Long Khot battlefield. With its profound melody and sincere lyrics, the work serves as a message from the present generation to those who came before, contributing to the spread of the principle of "Drinking water, remembering the source" through traditional art.

The song was performed at the ceremony commemorating the 134th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2024) and paying tribute to the heroic martyrs, the inauguration of phase 2 and the commencement of phase 3 of the Long Khot Fort National Historical Site - a site located in Thai Binh Trung commune, Vinh Hung district, Long An province (now Tuyen Binh commune, Tay Ninh province).

The soldiers depicted in the Vọng Cổ song represent the tenacious fighting spirit of the officers and soldiers of the 5th Infantry Division, the Long An armed forces, local troops and the people of Vĩnh Hưng district, the Thái Bình Trung guerrillas, and the soldiers of Long Khốt Post during the resistance against the American imperialists in 1972 and 1974, and the 43-day and 43-night battle to defend the southwestern border by the Long An Border Guard in early 1978. Composer Diệp Vàm Cỏ meticulously researched documents, books, and newspapers to write this work.

He shared: “I have a special affection for soldiers on the front lines, especially border guards, who silently protect the nation's borders. Although I haven't directly witnessed their battles, through books, newspapers, and documents, I can feel their ferocity and courageous spirit. As long as you truly have feelings and gratitude for those who sacrificed for the country, music and lyrics will naturally find their way.”

That spirit is clearly expressed through every word and every melody of the traditional Vietnamese folk song, imbued with feelings of gratitude:

In Long Khot, in May, I remember Uncle Ho / I remember those who served the country and the people / In the fragrant smoke of incense, Long Khot is filled with gratitude in every heart, every moment.

Prior to the tribute to soldier Long Khot, composer Diep Vam Co also left his mark with distinctive modern and traditional songs on the theme of honoring soldiers, such as: Loving You Like a Private, The Soldier and the River, The Breadfruit Leaf, Loyal Hearts,...

Sharing his creative direction for the future, playwright Diep Vam Co emotionally said: "As long as I can still hold a pen and there are people who keep the country safe, I will continue to write about them." This is not just a self-admonition, but also the lifelong aspiration of an artist who dedicates his soul to the soldiers who have, are, and will contribute to safeguarding the country's sovereignty and protecting the peaceful lives of the people. For him, art is not just for appreciation, but also for gratitude.

From a soldier's memory to a pen of gratitude.

Working at the Museum has given Ms. Do Thi Lan the opportunity to travel to many places, directly access valuable documents and live witnesses about soldiers.

During a business trip to the Cau Kinh Historical Site in Phuoc Vinh Tay commune, Can Giuoc district (now Tay Ninh province) in 2018, Ms. Do Thi Lan - Deputy Head of the Long An Museum and Library Department (now Tay Ninh Provincial Museum), met the subject and nurtured the inspiration to write the work "Silently Keeping the Warmth of Comradeship" in 2019.

The Cau Kinh historical site commemorates the opening and fierce battle associated with the 45-day and 45-night resistance war against the US by the army and people of the lower Can Giuoc region during the war for national liberation (from June 5th to July 20th, 1967). This work won third prize in the "Memories of Soldiers in Long An Province" writing competition in 2019 and was included in volume 13 of the book "Memories of Soldiers" published by the Information and Communications Publishing House.

Episode 13 of "Memories of a Soldier" vividly portrays the noble qualities of the soldiers of Long An.

"Silently Keeping the Warmth of Comradeship" is a memoir recording the emotions of author Do Thi Lan and war invalid Nguyen Van Kiem (born in 1946, from Tan Lan commune, Can Duoc district, now Tan Lan commune, Tay Ninh province). Speaking about how she came to write this story with war invalid Nguyen Van Kiem, author Do Thi Lan shared: “As soon as I got off the bus, from the direction of the historical site, I saw a man who had lost an arm. Curious, I asked him about it and learned that he was a war invalid who had participated in a fierce battle here. What truly moved me was that after the war, he volunteered to stay at the historical site to offer incense and prayers for his comrades.”

The work consists of four parts: A brief account of a compassionate and loyal war veteran, Unforgettable memories of the war and comrades, A small shrine on the old battlefield, and The story of a comrade's return from the brink of death. Through each fragment of memory, the image of the soldier emerges not only in the fierce 45-day and 45-night battle against the Americans with countless heroic sacrifices on the battlefield, but also shines with unwavering loyalty and devotion in peacetime.

In the work, there is a passage recounting the touching conversation between war veteran Nguyen Van Kiem and author Do Thi Lan: “Why don’t you go home to live with your family instead of staying here?” I asked, and in a hearty voice, he confided: “War, those were days of smoke and fire, but also days filled with camaraderie. Many of my comrades sacrificed their lives, and I am fortunate to have survived, so I vow to stay here to offer incense, care for, and live alongside my comrades, fulfilling my duty and loyalty.”

“In the hustle and bustle of daily life, there are many examples of people silently doing ordinary work day and night that benefits life and society. The story of the wounded soldier Nguyen Van Kiem, who passed on the flame of camaraderie and loyalty, taught me a lesson about love for humanity and living a meaningful and compassionate life,” author Do Thi Lan wrote in her work. Pages like “Silently Keeping the Flame of Comradeship Alive” or the vong co song “Gratitude to the Soldiers of Long Khot are not only preserved memories but also expressions of gratitude written from the heart. This is how today's generation expresses gratitude to those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the nation – so that the past does not fade away but continues to illuminate the present and future.

The "Memories of Soldiers" book project, launched in 2012, aims to gather and present valuable documents from the process of defending the homeland and building the country.

To date, the series has published 22 volumes, each a vivid snapshot of the memories of soldiers from all over the country. Volume 13 (published in 2019) is particularly noteworthy, featuring 75 authentic stories that vividly portray the noble qualities of the Long An soldiers: "loyal, courageous, and resilient."

Bich Ngan

Source: https://baolongan.vn/moi-van-tho-khuc-hat-la-mot-loi-tri-an-a199840.html