Remembering Uncle Ho makes our hearts purer!

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Mentioning Hero of the People's Armed Forces Cao Xuan Tho from Hoang Giang commune, everyone respects him - a brave, resilient, and resourceful youth volunteer soldier during the anti-French resistance. He is one of the four "bomb disposal kings" who contributed to the nation's epic victory at Dien Bien Phu, which "shook the world," and had the honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh four times.

Hero of the People's Armed Forces Cao Xuan Tho enjoys tending his garden and living a happy old age.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with him several times – a heroic and approachable soldier. The stories he told flowed naturally, filled with pride and an unparalleled love for his country and people.

Mr. Tho was born in 1926 in Hoang Giang commune. Responding to the sacred call of the Fatherland, he volunteered to join the self-defense force. Two years later, he volunteered to enlist in the 308th Division, 108th Regiment, serving in the Autumn-Winter Campaign. In March 1949, he was sent to Jiangdong, China, to study military intelligence. Upon returning to Vietnam, he served as the team leader of the bomb disposal team of Company 404, Youth Volunteer Team 40, serving in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. His duty was to guard the bomb observation post at the Co Noi "cauldron" – a crucial gateway to the Northwest. All support operations to the Dien Bien Phu battlefield had to pass through this vital junction. Therefore, the enemy sought every means to cut off the support of our troops and people to the campaign. Preliminary estimates indicate that the enemy dropped up to 69 tons of bombs of various types in the Co Noi "cauldron," making it difficult for our troops to clear and open the roads. But with resourcefulness and courage, Mr. Tho and his comrades fearlessly plunged into the rain of bombs and bullets, carrying out the mission of defusing unexploded bombs and clearing the way, contributing to ensuring the smooth flow of traffic on the vital route to the legendary Dien Bien Phu battlefield.

Using only rudimentary tools like hoes, shovels, and explosives, Company 404 defused hundreds of bombs. Mr. Tho himself directly defused and collected over 100 bombs of various types. He was given a "living funeral" by his comrades four times before defusing bombs, because each time he defused a bomb, it was arduous and he knew death was imminent.

With his outstanding achievements, Mr. Tho had the honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh four times and receiving his badge three times. At the Second National Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters of the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers on July 7, 1958, he was honored to receive the Third-Class Labor Medal and the Emulation Fighter Badge from President Ho Chi Minh – a rare honor. In 2014, Mr. Cao Xuan Tho was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the President of Vietnam . He recounted that each time he met President Ho Chi Minh, he was deeply moved, honored, and proud. The President's words of advice encouraged, motivated, and inspired him and his comrades to be even more determined and strive their best to excellently fulfill their duties, fight to protect the Fatherland, and study and train to build the country.

Every year, on the occasion of the National Day on September 2nd and the Traditional Day of the Vietnamese Youth Volunteer Force, the old three-room house nestled deep in a small alley belonging to Mr. Cao Xuan Tho's family receives many visitors. And the stories he tells us and his comrades about his memories always seem as fresh as ever, each detail coming alive in his mind. This year, Mr. Tho is 99 years old. Despite his advanced age, the lingering effects of war have weakened him year after year; his hearing is failing, and a bullet remains lodged in his body… yet he is still deeply moved when recalling the events of the past!

Hero of the People's Armed Forces Cao Xuan Tho shared: “The times I had the honor of meeting Uncle Ho, I realized how small my efforts in combat still were. But I always told myself to strive every day, to uphold the fine qualities and traditions of Uncle Ho's soldiers, and to study and follow Ho Chi Minh's thoughts, ethics, and style throughout my life.” In his younger years, when he was still healthy, he often participated in local social activities, such as the association of former Youth Volunteers, veterans, and the elderly... Back then, with his vigorous spirit, he often accepted invitations to give talks on traditions to schools to promote the noble qualities of soldiers and former Youth Volunteers during wartime and peacetime to teachers and students. He told the younger generation about the brutality of war and the courageous spirit of our soldiers... To his family, he was always an exemplary father and grandfather, living a loving and harmonious life. His children and grandchildren have all grown up and have stable jobs.

The war is long over, and although he sometimes remembers and sometimes forgets, the mind of People's Armed Forces Hero Cao Xuan Tho still vividly remembers those youthful years of war, those arduous days of bomb disposal that were both dangerous and seemingly easy, like a fairy tale.

Text and photos: Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nho-ve-bac-long-ta-trong-sang-hon-260326.htm