Female veteran continues to write peacetime story

Aspiration for peace from stories

In August 1974, following the general mobilization order to support the southern battlefield, Ms. Pham Thi Xuan followed her brothers to register for military service.

In the boiling atmosphere of that day, Ms. Xuan wanted to go to the Southern battlefield to work in information. She said: “At that time, my parents tried to dissuade me a lot, but I still decided to go because when the enemy was still bombing, could there be peace? When the South was not liberated, could there be peace?” Those heartfelt words of the female student who had just graduated from the teacher training college moved her parents. So she joined the army as an information soldier of Group 581 under Military Region 3 operating in Ha Nam Ninh province (old).

Veteran Pham Thi Xuan (3rd from right) during the gift giving ceremony for local veterans.

However, Mrs. Xuan’s intention to go to the Southern battlefield could not be carried out. She stayed behind to support the care of wounded soldiers transferred from the Southern battlefield. At that time, she was encouraged that both battlefields were equally important. Because for soldiers who had fought, sacrificed a part of their blood and bones, and were still carrying painful wounds, with bullets still not removed from their bodies, taking care of them was like fighting on the battlefield. Every mission was equally glorious.

So the young girl at that time stayed to do information work, support care, and propaganda to serve the wounded soldiers. Ms. Xuan said that at that time she loved her job very much and always tried her best to do her job. She was recognized as a competitive soldier determined to win.

Back then, people often saw the female communications soldier with a copper wire coil on one shoulder and a camera box on the other, cycling dozens of kilometers from one nursing station to another to perform her duties, not letting the communication connection be interrupted. That same lively female soldier often told stories to the wounded soldiers about historical battles, heroic examples, everyday stories or victory news from the South to help them ease their pain and strengthen their faith.

Mrs. Xuan teaches children at the charity class.

Telling stories to the wounded soldiers, Mrs. Xuan also heard them tell stories about comradeship, the fierceness of the Southern battlefield with losses and sacrifices. There are stories that, when mentioned to this day, still make her choke up like when she heard the insiders tell them. That is the heroic story of the family of a wounded soldier from Quang Tri with 4 people who have forever remained on the battlefield, only he remains. It is the story of a person he knew who became a hero and forever stayed on the Southern battlefield when he was just 28 years old.

From the stories she heard, she could feel the brutality of war. She confided: “When I heard those stories, felt the great losses, then for me, there was no greater desire than the desire for peace, for the South to be liberated, for the North and the South to be reunited as one family.”

Half a century has passed, but the memories of the last days of the war are still vivid in the minds of veterans. When news of victory came from the South, people cheered together. The whole village was happy, cheering with great enthusiasm, looking towards the South. Those will forever be beautiful memories.

On April 30, 1975, Ms. Xuan recalled, all the people gathered under the trees to listen to the news from the radio. Her unit was stationed in a civilian's house so she could feel the atmosphere at that time. The moment our tanks crashed through the gates of the Independence Palace, the joy of liberation exploded with smiles and tears of happiness. But in that happiness there was also a bit of sadness because Uncle Ho was no longer there.

Peace is beautiful!

Feeling the brutality of war, Ms. Xuan is deeply grateful to those who have fallen or still carry bomb and bullet fragments in exchange for peace for the nation. She always strives to work and contribute to society. In 1977, she was demobilized with regret that she could not study to become an officer due to heart disease.

In 1982, she followed her husband to Tay Ninh to work and build a new life. Ms. Xuan worked as aneducation manager, then a teacher at Kim Dong Primary School (Tay Ninh City). After retiring, she participated in social work and became known to many people for her volunteer work, caring for people in difficult circumstances with hundreds of gifts each year. She is also known for opening and maintaining a charity class for autistic children for more than ten years.

On the occasion of the recent Tet holiday, Ms. Xuan and a veteran donated gifts to 20 veterans in difficult circumstances in the ward. She said she wanted to send her most respectful and grateful feelings to the veterans; hoping that they could feel the care of many people, and that no one would be left behind. She said she would continue to maintain this meaningful work.

For her work, Ms. Xuan has received certificates of merit from the Provincial People's Committee 5 times.

“I used to be a soldier of Uncle Ho, so I always remember his teachings: the army comes from the people and serves the people. These actions are like my gratitude to the fallen soldiers. I am lucky to still see peace, so I want to do good things that are meaningful to life on their behalf,” Ms. Xuan shared.

In the exciting atmosphere of the days when the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, Mrs. Xuan was happy to see and feel the complete joy of peace. Peace is so beautiful!

Vi Xuan

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nu-cuu-chien-binh-viet-tiep-cau-chuyen-thoi-binh-a189601.html