Along with the persistent efforts of specialized forces, there have been ordinary citizens, driven by civic responsibility and profound gratitude, quietly contributing to bringing the fallen heroes back to their homeland. Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, originally from Ha Tinh province and currently residing in Dong Xoai ward, Dong Nai province, is one such person.

Born and raised in Ha Tinh, a land rich in revolutionary traditions, Nguyen Manh Hung was instilled with patriotism and the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." In his homeland, war is not just a memory in the old pages of history, but is still present in daily life—through the silent graves of martyrs in the cemetery, the cherished certificates of national recognition, and the stories of those who went away and never returned. From a young age, his family reminded him of the value of peace and the heroic sacrifices of previous generations. These simple lessons gradually formed in him a sense of responsibility towards history and national traditions.

Growing up, like many other people from Central Vietnam, Nguyen Manh Hung and his wife, Duong Thi Nga, moved south to start a new life. They chose Dong Xoai, in the former Binh Phuoc province (now Dong Nai province), as their place of residence. Their life as drivers wasn't luxurious, but it was stable. In his daily life, he was a man of few words, principled, and valued trustworthiness and loyalty. It was from this simple life that he embarked on a journey that he hadn't initially planned, but which he has been involved in for many years.

The heartfelt journey of Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung and Ms. Duong Thi Nga in bringing fallen soldiers back to their hometowns.

It all started with a request to transport the remains of a fallen soldier, recently recovered from Cambodia, back to his hometown. Hung didn't immediately respond to the request. He understood that this wasn't an ordinary job, nor could it be considered a simple transportation service. It was a matter directly related to honor, history, and the heartfelt hopes of an entire family. After careful consideration, he accepted.

That first journey took place in a quiet, solemn atmosphere. Inside the vehicle, next to the steering wheel, was a small ceramic urn draped with the national flag. There was no music, no superfluous words. When handing over the remains of the fallen soldier to his family in his hometown, witnessing the overwhelming emotion of the relatives, Nguyen Manh Hung realized the true value of what he had just done. From that moment, he decided to continue this work whenever possible, without any ulterior motives.

In the years that followed, Nguyen Manh Hung continuously undertook the task of transporting the remains of fallen soldiers, collected from former battlefields in Cambodia and Laos, back to their homeland. His journeys stretched across many regions, from the northern mountainous areas, the Northern Delta, the North Central region, to the Central Highlands and the southern provinces. Each trip was a long and arduous one. Some trips lasted for weeks, during which he ate makeshift meals along the way and rested in his vehicle. Sometimes his vehicle would break down in the middle of deserted forest roads, in harsh weather conditions. Yet, he never abandoned his journey.

Over the years, Hung's vehicles have traveled to all regions of the country. Each trip carried the remains of fallen soldiers from various provinces, from the northern mountainous regions like Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Ha Giang; to the Northern Delta and North Central regions such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri; and then down to the Central Highlands and Southern Vietnam. Whether the destination was a remote mountain village or a small hamlet in the delta, he always maintained a solemn and careful demeanor, because to him, the fallen soldiers were all sons of the nation, who sacrificed themselves for the independence and freedom of the people and for noble international duties.

What is truly admirable is that throughout this process, Mr. Hung did not accept any payment. Despite offers from many families to help with fuel costs, he consistently refused. For him, bringing the fallen soldiers back to their hometowns was a responsibility stemming from gratitude, something that could not be measured in money. He has personally brought over a thousand fallen soldiers back to their families and hometowns after many years lying in foreign lands.

On each trip, Mr. Hung always maintains the necessary solemnity. The vehicle is kept clean, the remains of fallen soldiers are neatly placed, and covered with the national flag. He minimizes unnecessary activities and maintains a respectful attitude towards the deceased. For him, this is not only a matter of personal conduct but also a moral responsibility of someone living in peace.

Behind those quiet journeys is the unwavering support of his wife. Ms. Nga understands the meaning of the work her husband is pursuing. She accepts the sacrifices in family life, the holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) without her husband, the long nights waiting for news of his safety, so that he can focus on completing this meaningful work. This understanding and support from her family has become a crucial source of emotional strength, helping Mr. Hung persevere for many years on his journey of compassion and dedication.

In the context of a peaceful and developing country, where the memories of war are gradually fading, concrete actions like those of Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung serve as a profound reminder. It's a reminder that today's peace was bought with the blood and sacrifices of previous generations; that responsibility to history rests not only with government agencies but is also the shared duty of every citizen. His actions contribute to spreading the tradition of "repaying gratitude," educating the younger generation about gratitude and responsibility towards the nation.

Hero has no medals or titles. His greatest reward is the moment when the fallen soldiers return to their homeland, resting peacefully in the embrace of their families and comrades. When asked about his motivation for persevering in this work for so many years, he simply replied: "As human beings, everyone wants to live, but selfless dedication to the Fatherland is great, and I always bow my head in respect to that dedication."

Mr. Hung's vehicles continue to quietly roll along the country's roads. Without fanfare or fanfare, this quiet work contributes to preserving and spreading the core values ​​of the Vietnamese nation, vividly demonstrating the moral principles of "drinking water, remembering the source" and "repaying gratitude" in today's society. Through this, it affirms that, in peacetime, gratitude towards those who sacrificed for the Fatherland continues to be preserved and nurtured through concrete, practical actions stemming from the responsibility and conscience of each individual.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/nhung-chuyen-xe-lang-tham-dua-liet-si-tro-ve-dat-me-1026080