Following the example of the heroine

Having bravely sacrificed herself at the age of 20, Heroine of the People's Armed Forces Néang Nghés became an immortal symbol of patriotism and the spirit of Kinh-Khmer solidarity. Her life and revolutionary career are a source of pride for the Ô Lâm region, and a flame that inspires strength in today's young generation.

People in O Lam commune offer incense to commemorate the female Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Neang Nghes. Photo: Duc Toan.

Youth dedicated to the revolution.

Néang Nghés was born on January 1, 1942, in Ô Lâm commune, a region rich in revolutionary traditions. Her parents died early, and she and her older brother were raised by their grandparents from a young age. Living in a resistance base area, and educated by cadres and Party members, Néang Nghés quickly embraced the revolutionary cause. At the age of 18, she joined the revolution, initially as a liaison, supplying rice and medicine to the guerrillas. She then joined the Executive Committee of the Women's Liberation Association of the commune. There, she both mobilized and enlightened the masses while simultaneously serving as a liaison, supplying provisions, and relaying information to the organization.

On March 13, 1962, Néang Nghés was captured by the enemy and imprisoned in a "tiger cage" at the Tha La Păng Xây outpost. Despite torture and attempts at persuasion, she refused to confess. To intimidate the people of Ô Lâm commune, they dragged her body throughout the commune, demanding to know which houses belonged to the Viet Cong, but she walked with her eyes fixed straight ahead. Seeing her defiance, the enemy dragged her to the back of Chông Khsách village and forced the villagers to witness her execution at dawn on March 15, 1962. She died heroically before the enemy, maintaining the integrity of a revolutionary in the posture of a victor. That year, she was only 20 years old, a young woman full of vitality.

The Khmer people's grief and admiration for her were matched by their hatred for the cruel oppressors. Elderly people and monks from Wat Bung temple went to the Tri Ton District Chief's residence demanding that the family be allowed to take Neang Nghes's body home for burial. Meanwhile, Chau Sek and Chau Yet secretly wrapped her body in bamboo and sedge mats and carried it to Xop Khmoch hill, opposite Xre Bung temple, for burial.

Deeply moved by the heroic sacrifice and selflessness of Néang Nghés for the revolutionary cause, the former Tri Tôn District Party Committee organized a solemn memorial service. The District Party Secretary praised her contributions and launched a campaign throughout the Party, people, and armed forces of the former Tri Tôn district to learn from her glorious sacrifice, and declared Néang Nghés a full member of the Party.

On March 25, 2005, the President posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Comrade Néang Nghés for his outstanding achievements in the resistance war against the US to save the country.

An immortal monument in the hearts of the people.

Ms. Néang Nghés was the first Khmer woman in An Giang province to be awarded this prestigious title. She is a symbol of revolutionary heroism, of the close-knit solidarity between the Kinh and Khmer people, the only Khmer woman recognized as a Hero of the People's Armed Forces in history, and a source of pride for the people, the military, and the Party Committee of Ô Lâm commune. She bravely sacrificed her life at the young age of 20, but her will and courage live on in our hearts, becoming an immortal image for Vietnamese youth during the years of war.

Mr. Phan Thanh Luong, Chairman of the People's Committee of O Lam commune, emphasized that the Party Committee, government, and people of O Lam commune are determined to unite and continue striving to build a more developed homeland, maintain national defense and security, care for the people's lives, preserve and promote the national cultural identity, and live up to the noble sacrifices of previous generations.

Following the example of Ms. Néang Nghés, the young generation of Ô Lâm commune continuously studies, cultivates, and hones their political and moral qualities, setting an example of obedience and absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, and the People, ready to accept and successfully complete all assigned tasks. Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc, a member of the Phước Long hamlet Youth Union branch, shared: “With the spirit of 'Wherever youth are needed, youth will be there; whatever is difficult, youth will overcome it,' I, along with the young generation of Ô Lâm commune, will continue to promote the spirit of pioneering, volunteering, dynamism, and creativity to successfully accomplish all tasks in all fields, contributing to the successful implementation of the two strategic tasks of 'Building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam' in the new situation.”

DUC TOAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/noi-guong-nu-anh-hung-a482142.html