War Diary - lines that live forever with time - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

- On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), Lang Son Provincial Museum is displaying many artifacts of the anti-American resistance war at the thematic exhibition "Liberation of the South in 1975 - The epic of great victory". Among them is a special souvenir: 4 war diaries of martyr Pham Quang Son, solemnly displayed right in the first glass panel from the main door as a historical witness, each page quietly depicting the story of patriotism, fighting spirit and noble sacrifice of a young soldier - a son of Lang Son homeland.

Martyr Pham Quang Son joined the army in 1968, when he was only 16 years old. At that time, like millions of patriotic Vietnamese youth, in the heart of the young man Pham Quang Son was a determination: to drive out the invading American imperialists, liberate the South and unify the country. He was assigned to construction unit 671 - front B5, mailbox 270 - 833 - TB02 in Quang Tri province.

These small diaries were written at the Quang Tri front from 1968 to 1972, and are a testament to a heroic and fierce historical period. Each page is imbued with patriotism, revolutionary spirit and the indomitable fighting spirit of a young soldier from Lang Son town (now Lang Son city).

Images of 4 diaries of martyr Pham Quang Son on display at Lang Son Provincial Museum

Those simple but powerful lines are not only personal memories but also a vivid picture of the indomitable will of the liberation army. Through each page, readers can feel the burning flame of patriotism, the determination to not be afraid of hardships and the spirit of being ready to sacrifice for national independence. The martyr died on December 7, 1972. The remaining relics are a backpack containing personal belongings and 4 war diaries sent to his family.

In 2015, the family of martyr Pham Quang Son decided to donate these four precious diaries to the Lang Son Provincial Museum, with the hope that these sacred artifacts would be preserved and passed on to future generations. Mrs. Pham Kim Lien, the martyr’s sister, now in her twilight years, still regularly visits the museum every April 30th with her husband, a veteran who also fought on the Quang Tri front. For her, the diary is not only a keepsake of her brother, but also a bridge between the glorious past and the peaceful present. “We want our brother’s words to be preserved forever, so that our children and grandchildren and everyone can understand the value of peace today,” Mrs. Lien said emotionally.

Ms. Luong Thuy Hong, a tour guide at Lang Son Provincial Museum, shared: “The four diaries of martyr Pham Quang Son are special artifacts, not only because of their historical value but also because they convey the indomitable spirit of the young generation of Vietnam in the resistance war against the US. Each line is a testament to courage and noble ideals.”

Every April 30th, the family of martyr Pham Quang Son gathers at the martyr’s shrine at his younger brother’s house in Cao Loc town, Cao Loc district. In the cozy atmosphere, stories and memories of the eldest brother are shared by the members, like pieces of a puzzle recreating the image of a young soldier with noble ideals.

Martyr Pham Quang Son's younger brother and sister review their brother's mementos.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Binh, the younger brother of martyr Pham Quang Son, emotionally said: "Every April 30th is not only the anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, but also the day when the family gathers to remember their martyr brother and family members with all their love and pride."

Martyr Pham Quang Son's younger brother takes care of the martyr's shrine

For their families, April 30 is not only a historical day, but also a day of "promises", a day for those who remain to remember and pay tribute to those who have fallen. Incense sticks are lit not only to commemorate, but also to connect the past and the present, connecting the "lifeblood" from the trenches of the past to the family home today. The diary of martyr Pham Quang Son with immortal lines will continue to tell the story of the courage, fighting spirit and desire for peace of the Vietnamese army and people in a time of war, echoing forever through time.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nhat-ky-chien-truong-nhung-dong-chu-song-mai-voi-thoi-gian-5045253.html