Remember Major General Hoang Sam

(QBĐT) - While the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Institute of Military History, Ministry of National Defense are coordinating a scientific conference with the theme: "Major General Hoang Sam - A staunch communist, a talented military commander, an outstanding son of Quang Binh province," in Van Hoa commune (Tuyen Hoa district), the people and his relatives are also fondly remembering this outstanding son of their homeland…

The Tran family in Van Hoa commune

Mr. Tran Xuan Que, a nephew of Major General Hoang Sam (whose real name was Tran Van Ky), recounted: The head of the Tran family in Van Hoa commune was Mr. Tran Canh Nong, a military official under the Le dynasty. King Le Thanh Tong sent Mr. Tran Canh Nong to Hoanh Son to set up a camp to prevent the Champa army from invading from the south.

Mr. Tran Canh Nong had three sons: Tran Canh Huong (the eldest), Tran Canh Phuc (the second son), and the youngest, Tran Canh Tan. When they grew up, the second and youngest sons moved elsewhere to settle, while the eldest son remained in the village and worked as a teacher. In Le Son, Mr. Tran Canh Huong had three more sons, named Tran Cong Dung, Tran Nhu Du, and Tran Nhu Ban.

Mr. Tran Van Ky belongs to the branch of Mr. Tran Nhu Du's family. Mr. Du had descendants for many generations, but due to the war against the French, the people had to evacuate to the mountains, and the family tree was lost, resulting in many generations being interrupted.

Offering incense to the heroic martyrs of the Tran family in Van Hoa commune.

Later, Mr. Tran Van Ky's great-grandfather was named Tran Hoc, and his grandfather was named Tran Hach. Mr. Tran Hach had two sons, Tran Ngong and Tran Hac. Mr. and Mrs. Tran Ngong had three brothers: Tran Van Ky, Tran Khoi, and Tran Khoa. After getting married, Major General Hoang Sam had five children: Hoang Thi Lan (born in 1948, deceased), Hoang Mong Lien (born in 1950), Hoang Sung (born in 1952), Hoang Thu Thuy (born in 1955), and Hoang Hai (born in 1961, deceased). Following in their father's footsteps, all of General Hoang Sam's children joined the armed forces.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Hoa commune, Tran Duc Hien, said: “The entire commune has over 1,100 households and nearly 3,700 people, of which the Tran family accounts for about one-third of the population. The Tran family members are always united, loving, supportive, and share difficulties during natural disasters and calamities, as well as working together to build a new rural area. During wartime or peacetime, the Tran family in Van Hoa has produced outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the national liberation struggle and nation-building.”

An outstanding son…

Before the August Revolution, our country was under French colonial rule, and the people's lives were extremely difficult. Therefore, young Tran Van Ky moved with his family to Thailand. There, he met Nguyen Ai Quoc, who was active in Thailand under the pseudonym Thau Chin. Seeing that the 12-year-old Ky was bright and quick-witted, Uncle Ho chose him as a liaison. From then on, Tran Van Ky followed Thau Chin everywhere, engaging in revolutionary activities, eventually becoming the renowned Major General Hoang Sam…

The Tran family ancestral temple in Van Hoa commune is a meeting place for descendants of the family whenever they return to their roots. Inside the temple is a memorial plaque commemorating 30 martyrs of the Tran family, with Major General Hoang Sam listed at the top.

Tran Xuan Linh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Van Hoa commune and also a relative of Major General Hoang Sam, shared: “Every full moon or holiday, we come to the ancestral temple to clean and offer incense. Following the example of previous generations, we also perform the rituals to preserve the identity and family traditions of our clan. Every time I come here, I hear stories from the elders about Major General Hoang Sam, an outstanding son of our homeland and clan. I am deeply moved and proud.”

The bridge and road leading to Van Hoa commune have been built to a high standard.

The Trần family descendants from all over gather at the ancestral temple in Văn Hóa commune in the largest numbers of the year on the day of the ancestral tomb ceremony (the 2nd day of the 11th lunar month). That morning, as the ancestral drums sound, the descendants gather at the temple to offer incense at the ancestral altar to express their reverence. During the meal at the ancestral temple, the Trần family proudly recount the exemplary life of Major General Hoàng Sâm, especially his immense contributions to the revolutionary cause, the country, and the nation.

Not only the people of the Tran clan but also the people of Van Hoa commune are always proud whenever they mention this outstanding son of their homeland. Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Van Hoa commune, said: “Since I was little, I heard my father tell many stories about Major General Hoang Sam, especially about his childhood years spent in his hometown, and the glorious victories he achieved with the army and people of the whole country. Those stories motivated me to become a soldier and inspired me to recount the example of the Major General to the younger generation of our commune today…”

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, every year, the Veterans Association of Van Hoa commune organizes activities to promote patriotism and national pride among the younger generation and the people on July 27th and December 22nd, or holds membership ceremonies at historical sites in the area.

Le Hoang Khanh Linh, an 8th-grade student at Van Hoa Secondary School, shared: “Every time I hear stories about Major General Hoang Sam, I feel incredibly proud and moved. Even in a poor rural area like Van Hoa, we have produced outstanding and exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the country, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful , prosperous, and happy life. I will strive to study hard to become a useful member of society, worthy of being a descendant of Major General Hoang Sam's hometown!”

To honor the immense contributions of Major General Hoang Sam, the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, mass organizations, and people of Van Hoa commune are mobilizing social resources to build a memorial house for Major General Hoang Sam. The project is expected to commence on December 22, 2024, in Trung Dinh village with a total budget of 10 billion VND, of which approximately 6 billion VND will be spent on phase 1. Upon completion, the house will serve as a place for people from all over to come and offer incense and remember this outstanding son of their homeland.

Xuan Vuong

Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202411/nho-thieu-tuong-hoang-sam-2222646/