( Bqp.vn ) – In the days of July, the sun was blazing hot, accompanied by the southwest wind, making the atmosphere even more scorching. Joining the seemingly endless stream of people respectfully returning to the Central region to offer flowers and incense in memory and gratitude to the heroic martyrs, the delegation of the Central Military Commission Office - Ministry of National Defense Office led by Major General Le Van Thuan, Deputy Chief of the Ministry of National Defense Office, made a trip to the source, a "Red Journey" full of sentiment, demonstrating the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", "Repaying gratitude" to the heroic martyrs who did not spare their youth and blood for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
Back to the roots
Delegation of the Ministry of National Defense Office visited Uncle Ho's hometown.
The first stop of the delegation was the Kim Lien National Special Relic Site, Nam Dan (Nghe An). This is a space that preserves many relics of the childhood of President Ho Chi Minh - National Liberation Hero, World Cultural Celebrity. In the quiet space, the delegation respectfully offered flowers and incense to commemorate his great contributions. Uncle! Today we visit your hometown; respectfully offer incense sticks, forever grateful to you.
Delegation of the Ministry of National Defense Office paid tribute to heroic martyrs at Truong Bon National Historical Site.
Continuing the journey, we returned to Truong Bon National Historical Site in My Son Commune, Do Luong District, Nghe An Province, one of the legendary relics of the great national defense war of our nation in the 20th century. Truong Bon is located on the strategic route 15A during the resistance war against the US with a length of nearly 200 km. This is an important traffic artery for transporting human resources and materials to support the southern battlefield.
Major General Le Van Thuan and delegates offered flowers and incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs at Truong Bon National Historical Relic Site.
Mentioning Truong Bon is talking about a heroic, immortal relic, marking the heroic feats and sacrifices of our army and people in the resistance war against the US, saving the country, typically the sacrifice of 13 heroic youth volunteers (TNXP) of the "Suicide Squad" - "Steel Squad" - "Living Marker Squad" of Company 317, Team 65, Youth Union General Team against the US, saving the country of Nghe An province on October 31, 1968. In July 1968, Company 317 selected 14 soldiers, including 12 women and 2 men, to be on duty 24/24 hours a day to observe and warn US aircraft; coordinate with the bomb disposal engineering force, ensuring that the traffic route through Truong Bon was always clear. On the night of October 30, 1968, Company 317 received orders to urgently clear the road for the military convoy to cross Truong Bon to the South before dawn. At around 4:00 a.m. on October 31, 1968, the entire unit urgently filled in bomb craters. At 6:10 a.m., when the work was almost completed, American planes suddenly came to bomb. Because they were on combat duty, the 14 Youth Volunteers did not have time to retreat to the shelter and 13 of them died when there were only more than 10 hours left until 0:00 on November 1, 1968 - the time when the US Air Force stopped bombing the entire North. The 13 Youth Volunteers - 11 girls and 2 boys - died at a very young age, the youngest was 17 years old and the oldest was only 22 years old, "At twenty years old, I am still a girl/Falling into the motherland, a virgin grave". The sacrifice of you guys made the "Legend of Truong Bon".
Delegates heard about the heroic feats and sacrifices of martyrs at Truong Bon National Historical Site.
With that great significance and the attention of the Party and State to build Truong Bon into a "Red Address" to educate revolutionary traditions for today's and tomorrow's young generation, on April 19, 2010, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee decided to approve the Investment Project to build the project "Preserving and embellishing Truong Bon National Historical Relic Site" on an area of 22 hectares with many large-scale construction clusters, stretching along the legendary Highway 15A.
Major General Le Van Thuan writes in the Golden Book of the Truong Bon National Historical Relic Site.
Carefully fixing the ribbon bearing the words "Office of the Central Military Commission - Office of the Ministry of National Defense respectfully presents", in the calm music of "Soul of the Dead Soldier", mixed with the faint scent of incense, Major General Le Van Thuan and the delegation respectfully offered incense and flowers to pray for the souls of the brothers and sisters lying here to rest in peace and be liberated.
Forever the epic song
Continuing the journey, leaving Truong Bon National Historical Site, overcoming a long journey, we visited and offered incense at "red addresses" such as: Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Special National Relic Site, General Vo Nguyen Giap's tomb...
Delegates offered flowers and incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site.
Along with the long line of people lining up with white flowers to offer to the 10 heroic female Youth Volunteers in grief and anguish, we seemed to be returning to the memories of Dong Loc more than 50 years ago. It was considered the "coordinate of death" where the US imperialists carried out their plot to cut off the support from the great rear in the North to the great front line in the South. From April to October 1968, the US invaders frantically attacked Dong Loc Junction 1,863 times, with nearly 50,000 bombs of all kinds; it is estimated that each square meter here had to bear at least 3 bombs. On the fateful afternoon of July 24, 1968, when Squad 4 of the female Youth Volunteers was filling bomb craters to quickly clear the road for vehicles to pass, the 15th bombing of the day fell on Dong Loc. A bomb fell right next to the entrance of the bunker, where 10 girls from Squad 4, Company 552 were taking shelter from the bomb. All of them were in their late teens and early twenties and none of them were married. “Living on the bridge and road, dying bravely and steadfastly”, the girls: Cuc, Tan, Huong, Xuan, Xanh… have gone down in history as an epic of iron determination for the sake of the beloved South, for the independence, freedom and reunification of the Fatherland.
Major General Le Van Thuan prepared the ceremony, offered flowers and incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site.
Amidst the silent incense smoke at the Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site, Major General Le Van Thuan and the members of the delegation silently bowed, respectfully before the souls of the 10 girls who had become immortal legends.
Delegation from the Ministry of National Defense Office visited the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap.
Saying goodbye to the Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site, our delegation visited the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap - the Elder Brother of the Vietnam People's Army, an excellent student of President Ho Chi Minh, an excellent son of his homeland Quang Binh at Vung Chua - Yen Island, Quang Dong Commune, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province. With all the feelings and deep gratitude, Major General Le Van Thuan and the members of the delegation respectfully lit incense sticks, vowing before the spirit of General Vo Nguyen Giap to continue to unite, strive to complete the assigned tasks, contributing to embellishing the tradition of "Absolute loyalty, solidarity, unity, dedication, creativity, upholding principles" of the Central Military Commission Office - Office of the Ministry of National Defense.
Immortal Monuments
Delegation from the Ministry of National Defense Office offered flowers to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel National Special Relic Site.
In this memorable journey of gratitude, the next place we stopped was Quang Tri Citadel. The clear, blue sky of Quang Tri, the sunshine and wind blended together like the “bright future” souls of those young men in their twenties. In this sacred land, every branch, blade of grass, and handful of soil seemed to whisper to the stream of visitors, reminding us of the fierce 81-day and night battle to protect the Citadel by young soldiers in the fiery summer of 1972.
Delegation of the Ministry of National Defense Office took a group photo at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel National Special Relic Site.
It is easy to see that those who have stepped into the Citadel have their feet treading lightly, because it seems that everyone understands that under the green grass there are many heroic martyrs lying, becoming a deep and thick sediment, the source for the green grass of the Citadel to stay green forever. Many people burst into tears when listening to the female narrator recounting the tragic stories of the 81 days and nights of fire in this place.
Major General Le Van Thuan and delegates released flowers to pay tribute to heroic martyrs on the Thach Han River.
Releasing flowers to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs on the historic Thach Han River, Major General Le Van Thuan and the delegation respectfully commemorated the country's outstanding sons who fell here. During the 81 days and nights of fighting to protect Quang Tri Citadel in the rain of bombs and bullets, thousands of our soldiers bravely crossed the Thach Han River to fight at Quang Tri Citadel. Every day, a company crossed the Thach Han River to reinforce the troops, but tonight a company entered, tomorrow only a few people survived. They lay in the vast waves of their homeland's river. Their blood and bones have merged with the sacred Thach Han River, "Boat up Thach Han, oh... row gently/My friend still lies at the bottom of the river/At the age of twenty, he became water waves/Lapping the shore, forever and ever". July has come, with the affection, gratitude and remembrance of the people of the whole country, the heroic martyrs who are resting here are probably also feeling warm.
Major of the People's Army Pham Mai Anh answers the interview.
The first time traveling along the Truong Son route on a sunny and windy day to visit the martyrs' cemeteries and relic sites was an unforgettable experience for many members of the delegation. For them, stepping foot on this sacred land is not simply a visit to historical sites but also an honor and a reminder of the responsibility of today's generation to the country, "The previous generation, the next generation/Became comrades, marching together". In indescribable emotion, Major Pham Mai Anh, an employee of the Ministry of National Defense Office, shared, "I understand that, to have peace like today, previous generations had to shed blood. Their blood soaked this land, reminding us to live responsibly, strive, train and continue to contribute to the country. This trip was truly extremely useful, enriching my knowledge; at the same time cultivating and nurturing my gratitude".
Wish to send to the future
On the way from Hanoi, arriving at the sunny and windy Central region, the place known as the “gut” of the S-shaped strip of land, every year has to struggle against harsh weather conditions but is always full of affection. That affection becomes even more intimate and profound because this sacred land has become the second homeland of millions of soldiers – heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the resistance wars to save the country, protect the Fatherland and now rest in martyrs’ cemeteries stretching from Nghe An, Ha Tinh to Quang Binh, Quang Tri…
Delegation from the Ministry of National Defense Office offered incense and flowers to commemorate the heroic martyrs at Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery.
Coming to Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery located on Ben Tat hill, next to National Highway 15, in Vinh Truong commune, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province, in the quiet space and groups of people walking in silence, solemnity, and respectfully bowing before the souls of heroic martyrs, we partly understand the value of sacrifice and the value of peaceful life today. This land was once an extremely fierce battlefield. The legendary Ho Chi Minh trail ensured the support of the great rear in the North for the great front line in the South; now, it is the place where thousands of martyrs return, lying side by side under the motherland like the time on the battlefield. This is not only the resting place of heroic martyrs but also a place of worship, a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, of the spirit, the will to fight for independence and the desire for peace.
Delegation from the Ministry of National Defense Office offered incense and flowers to commemorate the heroic martyrs at the National Martyrs Cemetery of Road 9.
Leaving the Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, the delegation arrived at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery. Located on a quiet hill, the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery is the resting place of nearly 11,000 heroic martyrs of the main force, local troops, militia and guerrillas, and Youth Volunteers who fought and served on the Road 9 front and in Laos during the resistance war against the US to save the country. In the sacred space, the sound of bells ringing and the image of a flock of doves flying down to the house to perform the ceremony serve as a reminder to us that today's peace is the sweat and blood of many generations of fathers and brothers.
Major General Le Van Thuan and members of the delegation burned incense on the martyrs' graves.
In the historic month of July, the stream of people visiting the martyrs’ cemeteries continues endlessly. Coming to the martyrs’ cemeteries, not only us but also every Vietnamese person’s heart is filled with emotion and choking. It is not only grief, but also admiration, gratitude with a strong belief that the martyrs fought bravely, sacrificed, their bodies returned to the motherland, merged with the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers, becoming immortal.
Perhaps, what moved all of us on this journey was not only the image of tens of thousands of white tombstones, incense smoke billowing and the long line of people offering incense at the martyrs' cemeteries, but also the touching story of comradeship, the ambitions and dreams of a time when "Splitting Truong Son to save the country, with hearts full of hope for the future". Most of them fell when they were just eighteen or twenty years old. They were soldiers, young female Youth Volunteers, ready to say goodbye to their families and loved ones, put down their pens and go to war at the sacred call of the Fatherland.
Colonel, wounded soldier Bui Huu Duong answers the interview.
As a soldier who directly held a gun to protect the northern border and left a part of his flesh and blood on the battlefield, more than anyone, he understands the fierceness of war as well as the price of peace, Colonel, wounded soldier Bui Huu Duong, an officer of the Ministry of National Defense Office, emotionally shared: “It is true that only through actual combat can we fully feel the fierceness of bombs and bullets, fully feel the difficulties and hardships that our army and people have gone through, fully feel the sacrifices and great contributions of the heroic martyrs who have devoted their blood and bones, selflessly sacrificed for the country and for the nation. And through that, we can fully feel the value of peace for each family, each nation. Today, we are living in peace, requiring each of us to live and work in a way that is worthy of the great sacrifices of the heroic martyrs”.
Delegates burned incense on the martyrs' graves.
Lighting incense on the graves of heroic martyrs, for the members of the delegation, is not only a responsibility but also an urge to repay with gratitude those who sacrificed for the country. Moreover, this also shows the gratitude of today's generation, forever not forgetting the noble sacrifice of the brothers and sisters who were willing to fall for the peace and independence of the nation. With respect, remembrance and infinite gratitude, we understand that the war has passed but there are wounds that have never healed, so that today, there are still countless tears falling every time we witness rows and rows of martyrs' tombstones, amidst the vast sun and wind along the long strip of Central Vietnam.
Major General Le Van Thuan rings the bell at the National Martyrs Cemetery of Route 9.
According to Major General Le Van Thuan, as part of a series of activities towards the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the Office of the Ministry of National Defense organized a gratitude delegation at a number of martyrs' cemeteries and relic sites in the Central region. Through this trip, the Party Committee and the Office's Commander hope that the officers, employees and soldiers of the entire agency, especially the young generation, will continue to promote the moral tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source", "Repaying gratitude"; uphold the spirit of responsibility, overcome difficulties, enthusiastically compete, strive to excel in all assigned tasks; contribute to building the Party Committee and Party organization to excellently complete tasks, a comprehensively strong agency that is "exemplary and typical". "We consider this trip as a "Red Journey" - a journey to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs, the outstanding children of the nation who did not hesitate to shed their blood and bones, and fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland." - Major General Le Van Thuan emphasized.
Epilogue
Traveling is to feel. Traveling is to gain more understanding, to love one's homeland and country more; to be proud of the achievements of generations of previous fathers and brothers; to understand more about the value of peace, independence, freedom, and comradeship. Traveling is also to return. To return to the source of life, to return to the highest embodiment of revolutionary heroism and human dignity. The "Red Journey" to pay tribute to the heroic martyrs of the Delegation of the Central Military Commission Office - Ministry of National Defense Office, in addition to its profound political significance, also carries that meaning. To conclude this trip, I would like to quote a few verses of poet Doan Thinh as a stick of incense to offer to the heroic martyrs as well as a promise: "A stick of red incense is not only to show gratitude/To continue to follow the predecessors/Immense land and immense water/Emitting a fragrant scent with each step".
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