On the eve of April 30 this year, Mr. Ta Xuan Tuu and Mr. Dinh Van Ty recalled memories of the great victory day 50 years ago. |
“Intact memories, deeply engraved in the heart...”
More than 50 years ago, young man Ta Xuan Tuu left his hometown of Pho Yen and joined the army when he was just 21 years old. As an engineer soldier of Company 5, Battalion 2, Brigade 219, Corps 2, he and his comrades went through the Route 9 - Southern Laos campaign in 1971, "sleeping on thorns and tasting gall" amidst rain of bombs and bullets.
In Quang Tri, in the midst of fierce battles, he and his comrades did a good job of clearing tactical routes under artillery fire, clearing mines so that our vehicles could attack safely. There was a battle so fierce that his unit was discovered by the enemy, and enemy artillery rained down. In that battle, many of his comrades died. There was also a time when his comrades were lying around with malaria, and only he and the political commissar managed to crawl out, pressing their chests against tree roots to hide. The pressure of the artillery made him deaf for a week, and he had to write notes during meetings.
Memories of the battlefield are not only moments of near death but also of pride. Mr. Tuu still remembers March 4, 1974, when he was admitted to the Party right on the battlefield of Thua Thien - Hue , amidst the sound of distant artillery. “I felt like I had more strength. Becoming a Party member, I felt my responsibility to the Fatherland was greater than my own life.”
In contrast to the quiet, thoughtful nature of Mr. Tuu, Mr. Dinh Van Ty has the humorous, humorous side of a soldier who is used to living in the midst of death. In 1973, although he was an only son and exempted from military service, he still volunteered to join the army with the desire of youth to contribute to the independence and freedom of the nation.
Joining Brigade 299, Corps 1, after a period of training, Mr. Ty became a person who could both drive and repair motorbikes well. “With eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to work, I understood where the motorbike was damaged and could fix it. My teammates still teased me that I loved my motorbike like I loved my child, that I understood my motorbike better than my wife...” – he smiled humorously.
At the end of 1974, Mr. Ty was the deputy squad leader of the 299th Brigade's car squad, marching through the Truong Son mountains and forests to the Lao battlefield. One time, the car was hit by a mine and died in the middle of the road, so he got down and fixed it all night. Another time, the information vehicle caught fire, and he worked alone to restore every detail so that the unit could return to the battlefield in time to serve in combat.
By the end of March 1975, Mr. Ty and his unit marched to pursue the enemy, from Hue - Da Nang - Phan Rang - Phan Thiet - Dong Nai. In every battle, his comrades fell, but the will to liberate the South always urged every step of him and the brave soldiers.
Memories of the day the country "blossomed" in unification
After days of marching through many lands, now, Mr. Ty's memories come flooding back, as clear as yesterday, the day of great victory 50 years ago. He recalls: On April 30, 1975, my unit and I marched from Binh Duong to Saigon. Hearing the news of liberation, the whole unit stopped the car, cheered, looked on both sides of the road, flags were waving like a festival, people offered water, and provided food for the troops in an atmosphere of freedom and joy.
As for Mr. Tuu, on the morning of April 30, 1975, he and his unit were protecting Dong Nai Bridge, an important tactical point of ours. When the loudspeakers blared out the voice of Duong Van Minh declaring surrender, everyone burst into tears. Someone fired into the air, shouting “We’re alive! We’re alive! We’re liberated!” The cheers echoed under the blue sky of freedom… Mr. Tuu tearfully recalled.
The joy of veterans of Phan Dinh Phung ward (Thai Nguyen city) when recalling the battlefield and the day of liberating the South and reunifying the country. |
The first days of peace are deeply imprinted in Mr. Tuu’s memory as people on both sides of the road holding red flags with yellow stars, waving, laughing and crying, hugging soldiers. “I never felt my heart beat so strongly,” he said.
After the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, Mr. Tuu's 2nd Battalion was awarded the title of Heroic Battalion, and he was awarded the 3rd class Liberation Feat Medal for his achievements in the resistance war against the US.
Keep the faith
50 years have passed, every time they meet, the two engineers still talk about the old days. They are not just memories, they are lessons, beliefs, and strength for the next generation to appreciate peace. "I am proud that I contributed a small brick to build the historic April 30th" - Mr. Ty said. And Mr. Tuu was moved: "I will never forget the image of my comrades lying on the battlefield..."
Now, in the memories of the two veterans, each place name Quang Tri, Dong Nai… bears the image of their comrades. Many people fell right before the victory. Therefore, that happy day is not only a personal happiness, but also the crystallization of the blood and bones of millions of soldiers and millions of families. “The liberation of the South is not only a day of national independence, but also the day our people regained the right to live, the right to be human,” Mr. Ty said emotionally.
After the victory, Mr. Tuu continued to serve in the land administration sector until his retirement in 2009. Mr. Ty transferred to a tourism company, then worked as a neighborhood group leader for decades. Now, every year on April 30, the two men meet again, retelling old stories about the time when they “cut through Truong Son to save the country, with hearts full of hope for the future”, stories about the days of life and death together and the day the country blossomed into independence.
On the eve of April 30 this year, amidst the buzzing summer cicadas, I heard the resounding song “As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day” and could not help but feel proud and grateful for the sacrifices of the previous generations. Our younger generation understands that to have the united Vietnam today, behind it are the blood, bones, and tears of countless soldiers. Therefore, the joy of April 30 is not only the joy of a victory, but also the most sacred happiness, that all those sacrifices have been rewarded with an independent and free country.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202504/nguoi-linh-cong-binh-ke-chuyen-ngay-vui-dai-thang-e370525/
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