Through stories

- In their journey of spreading "green memories," veterans become a bridge connecting the glorious past with the present, bringing history to the younger generation through authentic stories from their own experiences. These stories of veterans have contributed to nurturing ideals, patriotism, and a sense of community responsibility in today's youth.

Veteran Nguyen Duc Lap, from Luong Van Tri ward, recounts his wartime memories to his grandson.

Recalling her vibrant youth on the Trường Sơn - Ho Chi Minh Trail, the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, Mrs. Bùi Thị Định (Khòn Khuyên Hamlet, Đông Kinh Ward), a veteran of Regiment 559, still cannot hide her pride whenever she recounts those arduous but glorious years. She and her comrades participated in opening roads and ensuring traffic flow on this strategic transport route amidst bombing raids and shelling, contributing to the legend of Trường Sơn during the resistance war against the US.

The war is long over, but Mrs. Dinh still cherishes and passes on the memories of those heroic years. Returning to civilian life, despite being affected by Agent Orange, Mrs. Dinh regularly joins other Trường Sơn veterans in traditional talks at schools, recounting authentic stories about the war, ideals, and the spirit of dedication. Mrs. Dinh shared: "We tell these stories not to remind them of the hardships, but so that the children understand that today's peace was bought with the blood of many generations, so that they will appreciate life and strive to study harder and live more responsibly."

Listening to the stories and memories of veterans like Mrs. Bui Thi Dinh, Do Hoai Lan, a 12th-grade student from Viet Bac High School, shared: "The stories of the veterans help us understand history better. These stories, not found in textbooks, and the silent sacrifices of our forefathers, have inspired us and instilled in us the motivation and responsibility of young people in our studies and training to be worthy of what our elders have contributed to the country."

Traditional education activities for the younger generation in the province have been implemented synchronously and systematically in recent times, linked to major political events and national and local holidays. From the beginning of 2025 to the present, organizations, units, and veterans' associations at all levels have coordinated to organize nearly 200 propaganda sessions, attracting over 15,000 participants, including youth union members, students, and young people, creating a widespread impact in the community. Ms. Duong Thi Huynh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Bac Son commune and Secretary of the Bac Son Commune Youth Union, said: "During traditional activities and exchanges, we always closely cooperate with the commune's Veterans' Association so that the veterans can directly recount stories from their time in the military, their years participating in the resistance wars against France and the United States. They directly tell the youth union members and team members about the battlefields they have been to, thereby contributing to the education of traditions for the next generation in a natural and profound way."

At the same time, veterans also pass on to the younger generation a vivid image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in peacetime - soldiers who return to civilian life but still maintain their revolutionary qualities, are exemplary in labor and production, and actively participate in local emulation movements. In recent years, veterans' associations at all levels in the province have actively mobilized members to participate in building their homeland through concrete and practical actions. In 2025, many members throughout the province voluntarily donated over 3,600 m² of land for the construction of new rural areas and welfare projects; the entire association has 1,073 economic models owned by veterans, creating jobs for more than 4,000 workers; and veteran members have contributed nearly 2 billion VND to various funds launched by the Central and local governments…

Through the stories told from the memories and experiences of veterans, history is not only retold but also continued through concrete actions in today's life, thereby contributing to nurturing ideals, fostering responsibility, and igniting the aspiration to contribute to the homeland and the country.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/ky-uc-xanh-trong-long-the-he-tre-5068618.html