'The one who shines within us'

QTO - As if by fate, during his journey to find the graves of fallen soldiers in his family, veteran Pham Xuan Thanh became deeply committed to the cause of "restoring names and finding hometowns" for those who had fallen on the battlefields. Six fallen soldiers have been returned to their hometowns, and dozens of cases have received support, information connections, and assistance in procedures for the exhumation and reburial of the remains of fallen soldiers. This is just a part of the many meaningful actions that veteran Pham Xuan Thanh has undertaken to honor those who fell for national independence, contributing to the shining image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers."

Bringing fallen soldiers back to their hometowns.

After nearly 50 years of searching, the family of martyr Nguyen Van Sung was overwhelmed with emotion when they finally found his grave at the Viet Trung Agricultural Farm Cemetery (Quang Tri province) and brought him back to his hometown in Bat Bat commune, Hanoi . Upon his return, the martyr's older brother and sister were deeply saddened, as the long wait had been too long and their elderly mother could no longer bear the pain of waiting.

This is one of six martyrs whose remains were found and brought back to their hometowns by veteran Pham Xuan Thanh. Many martyrs were reunited with their families upon their return. For example, Nguyen Van Hue, from Yen Bai commune, Hanoi, died in the Quang Tri battlefield at the age of 17. By the time his grave was found, his parents and only sister were also gone. Veteran Pham Xuan Thanh and his colleagues helped bring the martyr back to rest in the Yen Bai commune cemetery, so that his family could visit and tend to his grave.

Veteran Pham Xuan Thanh (far right) was honored by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in 2023 - Photo: Archival.

For decades, veteran Pham Xuan Thanh has quietly traveled to cemeteries and former battlefields to connect with and support the families of fallen soldiers in finding information about their graves. Despite his age and frail health, he continues to work with volunteers across provinces and cities, from Hanoi, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang to Salavan province (Laos), to search for information about fallen soldiers, handle procedures for relocating graves, and exhume the remains of fallen soldiers. In addition, he organizes "Back to the Roots" programs, bringing the families and comrades of fallen soldiers back to their former battlefields.

"These actions stem from the responsibility of a soldier of Uncle Ho, and are also a way of showing gratitude to those who fell for the independence and freedom of the nation," Mr. Pham Xuan Thanh shared.

Learning from Uncle Ho, "our hearts become purer."

During a meeting with veteran Pham Xuan Thanh, he shared with us his newly composed poem, "Remembering President Ho Chi Minh's Testament," recited by Meritorious Artist Dinh Trung. He recounted that throughout the country, there is a powerful force of veterans. Whether in times of war or peace, they always maintain the spirit of soldiers on all fronts, setting an example and leading the way in labor, production, and daily life, truly deserving the title "Ho Chi Minh's Soldiers."

As the Deputy Director and Chairman of the Veterans Association of Viet Trung Quang Binh Joint Stock Company (retired in mid-2025), he, along with the company's leadership, steered the unit through numerous difficulties, continuously upholding the unit's spirit, which earned it the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (2000), Hero of Labor during the Renovation Period (2004), and the "Two Excellences" spirit of his homeland, forged during the war.

“Veteran Pham Xuan Thanh is an exemplary role model, always at the forefront of all movements, especially in implementing Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo on promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style. He has been commended by the Provincial Veterans Association and the Veterans Association of the Provincial Party Agencies for his important contributions, helping to spread the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" within the unit and among cadres, Party members, and veterans,” said Mr. Vo Van Dung, Chairman of the Veterans Association of the Provincial Party Agencies.

Veteran Pham Xuan Thanh (first row, second from the left) and the Veterans Association of the Party Committee of the provincial Party agencies present gifts to families of those who rendered meritorious services to the revolution - Photo: Provided.

From being an exemplary leader on all fronts, from his ideology and ethics to his daring and proactive spirit, veteran Pham Xuan Thanh has inspired the entire unit to learn from and follow President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, especially in upholding the pure revolutionary ethics of "diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, and selflessness." In 2023, he was honored with a commendation from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor for his achievements in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style. Viet Trung Quang Binh Joint Stock Company has received numerous awards from various levels and sectors in the province for its implementation of Directive 05-CT/TW of the Politburo.

“Veteran Pham Xuan Thanh is a leading example, spreading the movement of studying and following Uncle Ho's teachings widely among our young generation. Every year, on Uncle Ho's birthday (May 19th), the company organizes a competition to learn about the life, thoughts, ethics, and Testament of President Ho Chi Minh. This is considered a profound revolutionary tradition education activity, so that each young person can self-reflect and correct their own mistakes, making the study and emulation of Uncle Ho a regular and deeply ingrained part of everyone's consciousness,” shared Le Van Hung, Secretary of the Youth Union of Viet Trung Quang Binh Joint Stock Company.

Even in retirement, veteran Pham Xuan Thanh remains deeply concerned with the journey of "restoring the names and finding the hometowns" of fallen soldiers. This journey is far from easy, as many cases involve inaccurate information and hometown details, requiring significant time, expense, and even physical effort. However, bringing fallen soldiers back to their hometowns, families, and comrades gives him and the volunteers renewed motivation to continue the journey, considering it a heartfelt tribute to those who contributed to the nation.

According to veteran Pham Xuan Thanh, each person has their own way of learning from and following Uncle Ho's example. For himself, he borrowed two lines from To Huu's poem "Morning in May" to express his feelings: "We are with Him, He shines within us / We suddenly grow a little taller beside Him"...

To Linh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202605/nguoi-toa-sang-trong-ta-8ea5e40/