Heroes left that spring to bring peace to the country: Part 2

The altar dedicated to the martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Trong Thuong is regularly visited and offered incense by his elder brother, Tran Trung Binh, and his sister-in-law, Doan Thi Dung.

Among them were those who made glorious sacrifices, who are heroic martyrs.

Putting aside their pens and ink, they set off to fight the enemy.

From 1979 until about 10 years later, tens of thousands of soldiers from Binh Tri Thien and beyond perished on the borderlands, becoming part of the reeds and bushes, remaining forever in the frontier region. But many were fortunate enough to return to their homeland. Martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Trong Thuong, from Trang Liet village, Thanh Son commune (Thanh Ha district), is one such person.

In 1979, news from the border kept pouring in: On the night of February 17th, the Chinese authorities launched an attack on six northern border provinces of Vietnam, along a 1,200 km stretch from Ma Lu Thang, Dao San, Pa Nam Cum ( Lai Chau ) to Po Hen (Quang Ninh).

That very night, the song "Fighting for Independence and Freedom" by composer Pham Tuyen was born. " The sound of gunfire has echoed across the border sky / Calling all our people to a new battle... ", the stirring lyrics resounded throughout the villages, urging young men and women to set out with the fervent spirit of the historic battles of Chi Lang and Bach Dang.

At that time, Mr. Tran Trong Thuong was only 21 years old. But two years before that, he had enlisted in the army and been sent for training in Bac Giang . Now, in his small but cozy house, built on his birthplace, the portrait of the martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Tran Trong Thuong, is always displayed in the most prominent place by his older brother, Tran Trung Binh, and his sister-in-law, Doan Thi Dung.

The reason why it was Thuong who enlisted in the army instead of his older brother was because although the two brothers went for their military service examinations, Thuong insisted on joining the army. At that time, Binh had already started a family. Thuong insisted that his brother should stay home to take care of their elderly parents and sister-in-law.

"He was training in Bac Giang, and he was allowed to come home for just one day to say goodbye to everyone before leaving again until he sacrificed his life," Mrs. Doan Thi Dung said emotionally.

Because he was a student who "put aside his studies to go fight the enemy," in addition to the woolen sweater his mother bought him, Mr. Thuong's belongings included a fountain pen that his older brother had given him as a memento before he went to the battlefield. Later, Mr. Thuong always wore the fountain pen in his breast pocket; during combat, a bullet pierced through it, almost severing the cap. The pen became a priceless memento, donated by his family to the Hai Duong Provincial Museum for safekeeping.

In 1979, after nearly two years of training, Thuong, who was studying to become a non-commissioned officer, marched with his unit to the border. His family only knew he belonged to a regular infantry division (the Golden Star Division) and learned about the war situation through the infrequent letters he sent home until he was killed while repelling a series of attacks by the invading forces alongside his comrades.

Bringing you home is "a command from the heart."

The fountain pen of martyr and Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tran Trong Thuong, which was nearly severed by a bullet, is currently preserved at the Hai Duong Provincial Museum.

Heroic martyr Tran Trong Thuong enlisted in June 1977. At the time of his death, he was a corporal, squad leader of Company 51, Division 5, Regiment 12, Division 3, 14th Corps, Military Region 1.

According to documents, during the resistance against the invading forces on the northern border, Mr. Thuong fought in northwestern Dong Dang (Lang Son). From February 25-28, the enemy used a large force to attack the battlefield. He encouraged his squad to maintain their resolve, single-handedly killing 39 enemy soldiers, seizing one weapon, and together with his squad, eliminating many others... On March 3, 1979, while leading the unit in an attack on the enemy formation, he was hit by a bullet and bravely sacrificed his life.

According to Mr. Tran Trung Binh, after hearing the news of his son's death, his mother was in a daze for many days due to the immense grief. Later, after calming down, she said that every war is the same; there are losses and sacrifices before there can be peace. Only if the burial place is identified and her son's remains are brought home will she be able to rest in peace. His mother's wish was like a command, leaving Mr. Binh restless and anxious.

About a year later, having learned that his brother's remains were at Khanh Khe Bridge Cemetery (Van Lang District, Lang Son Province), Mr. Binh and a relative quietly boarded a train to Lang Son, carrying bicycles, flashlights, and shovels. At that time, although China had withdrawn its troops, the border situation was still very complicated, and the gunfire had not yet subsided. Therefore, from Lang Son train station to the cemetery where his brother was buried, Mr. Binh had to pass through about 10 strict checkpoints.

When the two brothers arrived, it was nighttime, and gunfire still rumbled around them. Fortunately, an artillery unit nearby came to their aid. Mr. Binh expressed his wish to bring his brother's remains back that very night and then find his way back to Lang Son town. However, the artillery unit stopped him, saying that the area was vulnerable to artillery fire from the other side at night. That night, Mr. Binh and his brother were taken deeper into the village to sleep at a villager's house. At that time, the people of Lang Son had evacuated to the lowlands, leaving only one person per household. The village was silent and desolate, the gunfire still echoing, and the longing to bring his brother home kept him awake until dawn.

Before dawn, with the support of the artillery unit, Mr. Binh managed to bring the boy up. At that time, the heroic martyr Tran Trong Thuong was still wearing his mother's woolen sweater under his military uniform. On his chest, the fountain pen and Poljot watch that Mr. Binh had given him were still there. The magazine was still intact in the martyr's abdomen. The pen cap had been pierced, a mark left by the bullet that had taken away the youth of this heroic martyr.

On December 20, 1979, martyr Tran Trong Thuong was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces and the Third-Class Military Merit Order by the President of Vietnam.

Next episode: Remembering my father's message

NGUYEN TIEN HUY

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nhung-anh-hung-ra-di-tu-mua-xuan-ay-de-dat-nuoc-binh-yen-bai-2-hai-cot-liet-si-tro-ve-trong-lan-bao-dan-373141.html