Comradeship

The call of "Comrade!" echoed through the courtyard of the Kien Giang Memorial Temple for Heroes, Martyrs, and Meritorious Individuals, drawing many onlookers. Two veterans, both over 80 years old, slowly walked towards each other and embraced after many years of separation.

Veterans chat at a reunion of veterans from Battalion 207-519. Photo: THU OANH

I've been fortunate enough to attend many traditional reunions of veterans from the 207th and 519th Battalions. Every year, around the historic month of April, these former soldiers come together. Some travel from U Minh Thuong, others from Phu Quoc, Giong Rieng, Go Quao, Chau Thanh… overcoming long distances to meet their comrades. Some veterans come with their children and grandchildren because of their advanced age and frail health. Some veterans, upon stepping off the bus, immediately scan for familiar faces from years past. As soon as they see each other, they clasp hands tightly and eagerly ask, "Are you still well?"

The atmosphere at the reunion is always special. It's not just a meeting of veterans, but also a return to memories. For many years, Comrade Nguyen Tan Dung - former Politburo member, former Prime Minister, former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Military Party Committee of Kien Giang province (formerly), former Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Battalion 207 - has always made time to attend the reunion with his old comrades.

Each time they meet again, the former soldiers reminisce about the battles in the old Kien Giang region, the nights marching through the U Minh forest, the times they shared every piece of dried rations on the battlefield, or the fierce bombing raids at the foot of Ba Hon mountain. Some comrades are still here today, their hair whitened by the years, but many others perished at the young age of twenty on their homeland during those brutal years of war.

Mr. Nguyen Van An, often called Nam An by his comrades, was the former commander of Battalion 207. At 80 years old, he was confined to a wheelchair and gently pushed into the ceremonial grounds by a young officer. Upon meeting his old comrades, his face immediately lit up, and he clasped each person's hand, trying to recall the names of his former comrades. At times, he burst into hearty laughter when recalling an old battle; at other times, his eyes drooped upon hearing the news of another comrade's passing. "Every time we get to meet now, it's precious," Mr. Nam An said slowly.

As a unit commander from the years of the resistance war against the US to the period of defending the southwestern border, Mr. Nguyen Van An and his comrades went through many fierce battles. For him, the greatest thing that remains after the war is not just medals or achievements, but the camaraderie forged with blood and tears.

In another corner, Mr. Pham Van Nguyen, a veteran of the 519th Battalion, still hadn't let go of the shoulder of his old comrade whom he had just reunited with. The two stood for a long time, sharing stories about their families, children, and health after many years of separation. No flowery words were needed; a firm handshake and a look of emotion were enough to convey the feelings of the veterans upon their reunion. After the war, each had their own circumstances; some had comfortable lives, while others still carried lifelong injuries, but their camaraderie never faded.

The war ended more than half a century ago. Time may have turned the once-green hair white, it may have slowed the soldiers' steps, but it cannot fade the camaraderie and brotherhood of the soldiers of Battalion 207 and Battalion 519.

The 207th Battalion was formerly the U Minh 10th Battalion, established on July 20, 1960, at Trung Doan Canal, Dong Yen Commune, An Bien District, Rach Gia Province. In 1972, the 519th Battalion was established on May 19th, coinciding with President Ho Chi Minh's birthday.

According to Mr. Bui Ngoc Suong, Head of the Veterans' Liaison Committee of Battalion 207-519, the committee currently has nearly 500 members. The committee also regularly visits members who are ill, mobilizes resources for building and repairing comrades' houses, and provides support to veterans who are still facing difficulties.

THU OANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tinh-dong-chi-a485585.html