Fifty-six years have passed, and although the pain of that time has somewhat subsided, every Tet holiday, when families gather together, the absence of the husband and father remains a constant source of anguish for Mrs. Thanh and her family.
The journey of keeping the flame alive through difficult springs.
During the years when the country was engulfed in the flames of the war against the US, soldier Tran Van Phuong heeded the sacred call of the Fatherland and participated in the fierce battles in the South. In 1970, he bravely sacrificed his life, leaving behind his small family: his wife, Do Thi Thanh (born in 1935), and two daughters, one of whom was only 9 years old at the time, and the other just 1 year old.
Although over 90 years old and in declining health, Mrs. Thanh's memories and the hardships she endured during the years her husband was away from home remain vividly etched in her mind. To ensure her husband could focus on defending the country, Mrs. Thanh tirelessly raised her two daughters on her meager factory worker's salary, regardless of the difficulties and hardships.
Especially during the traditional Lunar New Year, when the atmosphere of togetherness fills every family kitchen, this absence becomes even more apparent. But thanks to the help of relatives and neighbors, the New Year for the mother and her two children was somewhat less difficult and lonely.
In the memory of his second daughter, Tran Thi Minh Thanh (born in 1963), the image of her father is associated with hastily written handwritten letters sent from the front lines and the occasions when soldier Tran Van Phuong was granted short leave by his unit.
Ms. Thanh emotionally shared: “I don’t have many memories with my father, but there’s one thing he said that I’ll always remember: ‘Your mother should try to build a house like your brother’s, that would be good enough.’ That simple advice from my father has been etched in my mind until now.” It was a rare occasion when her father was home on leave and took the opportunity to help her brother renovate his cement house. At that time, the family of soldier Tran Van Phuong was still in very difficult circumstances, living in a makeshift thatched house amidst those tough times.
It wasn't just a casual remark, but also the worry and concern of a husband and father far away on the battlefield, with no clear return date. It was a worry filled with love and a longing for his wife and children to have a stable home to rely on. And when the new, more spacious house was built in Tay Ho ward, the promise to the husband and father who had sacrificed for the country was fulfilled. And so, in the springs that followed, the family no longer had to silently celebrate Tet in a makeshift house, but enjoyed warmth and fulfillment in a solid, secure home.
Mrs. Do Thi Thanh recalled: "In 1977, when the State announced the news of my husband's death, although we had prepared ourselves beforehand, the family was still shocked and devastated. That year, the family had a very somber Tet holiday."
Before the pain of losing her husband and father could subside, another worry weighed heavily on her heart: the family had yet to find the remains of fallen soldier Tran Van Phuong to reunite with them. Therefore, with each passing spring, the longing for reunion became even more agonizing, as there remained an empty space in their small home that nothing could fill.
Perhaps for Mrs. Thanh's family, the most fulfilling Tet holiday was in 2012, when after so many years of searching, with the help of the Party, the State, and the local government, the family traveled to Dak Lak and brought the remains of martyr Tran Van Phuong back to rest at Nho Son Martyrs' Cemetery so that "the family could be together."
Springtime of Gratitude - A Warm and Meaningful Tet Holiday
Perhaps for families with a history of service to the revolution, like the family of Mrs. Do Thi Thanh, the greatest comfort and encouragement comes from the care and attention of the Party, the State, and the local government.
Ms. Thanh emotionally shared: “The Party and the State have always shown great concern and care for families of those who have rendered meritorious service. Every year, during the Lunar New Year, local departments and agencies provide timely visits and encouragement. My family has never felt forgotten; we have always been cared for, ensuring we have a fulfilling and warm Tet holiday like everyone else.”
During the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the local authorities, along with the Women's Association of Tay Ho Ward, as usual, visited and extended New Year greetings to the family, and also presented them with a small gift. Each gift, though not of high material value, represented immense spiritual value, sharing the joy of the new year with Mrs. Thanh's family.
Although martyr Tran Van Phuong bravely sacrificed his life for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, in the hearts of those who remain, the image of this husband, father, and grandfather will always be present. For his children and grandchildren, the story of him is not just a memory, but also a source of pride and motivation to live more responsibly, worthy of his sacrifice.
This spring, and in springs to come, Mrs. Thanh's family will continue to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) in the fullness of affection and love. Amidst the ever-changing pace of life, the values of gratitude and the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source" are always preserved, enduring like the pride the family holds for martyr Tran Van Phuong - who dedicated his entire life to the Fatherland, so that today the country is peaceful, and every home can be reunited in the warm spring.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/tet-tri-an-am-long-nguoi-o-lai-5078156.html
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