The 42kg heroine carried two 98kg ammunition boxes, remembering the times she met Uncle Ho.

The miracle of the heroine

These days, the whole country is celebrating the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025) with all respect. At the small house on Truong Thi Street, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa Province, Mrs. Ngo Thi Tuyen sits quietly on the porch, her eyes looking into the distance.

Although she is 80 years old this year and in poor health, every time she mentions Uncle Ho, her voice trembles and her eyes shine brightly as if reliving a fiery and sacred time.

"I will never forget the times I met Uncle Ho in my whole life. Every time I think about it, I feel so proud and moved," said Hero Ngo Thi Tuyen.

Hero Ngo Thi Tuyen recalls the most memorable memories of her life (Photo: Thanh Tung).

Ms. Tuyen is a former female militiawoman of Nam Ngan, Ham Rong ward. In 1965, in the fierce days of the resistance war against America, the name Ngo Thi Tuyen became a symbol of strength and courage.

With a petite body, weighing only 42kg, she performed the feat of carrying two ammunition boxes weighing 98kg, supplying the battlefield at the "Ham Rong fire coordinates".

That feat not only contributed to the victory of Ham Rong, but also recorded her name in history.

After the battle, she was admitted to the Party and a year later, at the age of 20, she was a representative of Thanh Hoa to attend the Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters against the US to save the country. Here, she was awarded the noble title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.

Ms. Tuyen said that at the Heroes' Congress, she had the honor of meeting Uncle Ho for the first time.

Image of Mrs. Tuyen (wearing a hat), being kindly asked by Uncle Ho (Photo: Provided by the character).

"At that time, I was both happy and moved. Uncle Ho was simple but very caring. During the meeting, he came to ask about us. He also told everyone to take care of their health. Remembering that image, I am still moved," Ms. Tuyen confided.

The last time I saw Uncle Ho when he was alive

Three years later, in 1969, Ms. Tuyen had the opportunity to meet Uncle Ho for the second time. This time, she met Uncle Ho in a completely different situation. While being treated at the 108 Military Hospital (Hanoi), she was taken to the Ministry of National Defense guesthouse to have her military uniform tailored. It was there that she unexpectedly met Uncle Ho again.

"That time, I was moved but also worried. He had lost a lot of weight, and walked more slowly... That was also the last time I saw him alive," said Heroine Ngo Thi Tuyen.

Ms. Tuyen said that for decades, in her small house, the photos taken with Uncle Ho have always been carefully kept by her, hung in prominent places. Every time Uncle Ho's birthday comes, she takes them out to look at and recall those unforgettable days.

"This year, my health is poor, so I cannot visit Uncle Ho at the Mausoleum. Before, on his birthdays or anniversaries, I often visited him at the Mausoleum," said Ms. Tuyen.

Holding the photo with Uncle Ho, Ms. Tuyen's voice choked up and tears welled up as she talked about the last time she met Uncle Ho.

"That was the third and last time I was with Uncle Ho. When he passed away, I was assigned to stay by his coffin," Ms. Tuyen expressed her sadness.

Image of Mrs. Tuyen standing by Uncle Ho's coffin in 1969 (Photo: Provided by the character).

She said that on the day of national mourning, at Ba Dinh Square, the entire country was sad and filled with endless grief. At that time, she and three others were assigned to stand guard at Uncle Ho's coffin.

The Heroine shared that each shift only lasted about 20 minutes. While standing next to Uncle Ho's coffin, she and the others on duty kept looking at Uncle Ho while he lay there, but they hid their tears in their hearts.

"At that time, the General Department of Politics instructed the cadres participating in the ceremony to suppress their grief and turn it into action, so no one dared to cry. Until now, every time I remember that moment, I cannot hold back my tears," the female hero confided.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/doi-song/nu-anh-hung-can-nang-42kg-vac-2-hom-dan-98kg-nho-nhung-lan-gap-bac-ho-20250518205222219.htm