Returning from the battlefield, they continue to write a glorious chapter in history.

Wartime heroes, peacetime contributors.

After the country was reunified, Ms. Pham Thi Lien (born in 1953, residing in Tan Lap commune, Tay Ninh province), like many other veterans, returned to civilian life and continued to contribute to building her homeland and country.

With the unwavering spirit of a soldier, she embodies the qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army, actively engaging in labor and production, gradually overcoming difficulties, and rising to become a successful businesswoman , becoming one of the exemplary farmers in the locality.

Veteran Pham Thi Lien (residing in Tan Lap commune) recounts the significance of the shrine dedicated to the heroes and martyrs of her family.

As she recounted her time participating in the resistance, Mrs. Lien's eyes shone brightly; it was a memory filled with pride, one she would never forget. Coming from a family with a revolutionary tradition, she became politically aware at a very young age.

At the age of 11, she was sent to the Central Committee of the Southern Region to serve as a liaison for leading comrades of the Central Committee such as Pham Hung, Ngo Van Nghia, Cao Dang Chiem, Ngo Quang Nghia, Pham Thai Buong, etc.

Coming from a family of "red seeds" (a term referring to revolutionary cadres), she was sent to school and trained by her unit to become a medical officer working at the Information Department's infirmary at the Central Bureau. At the age of 22, she transferred to the Eastern battlefield (in 1972) to transport the wounded from the battlefield to infirmaries and hospitals.

After the reunification of the country, she worked at the People's Hospital (now Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City), continuing her dedication to the health of the people. In 1986, she requested a transfer to Tan Bien district to work at a state-owned enterprise. After 20 years of service in the military and working in various units, in 1993, she retired and, together with her husband, worked on the farm and took care of their family.

For nearly 10 years, she persevered with cashew and vegetable farming, but the economic results were not high, yet she did not give up. In 2001, when she learned about the government's preferential loan policy for farmers, she boldly borrowed 150 million VND to start a pig farming business.

Thanks to the medical knowledge she accumulated during her time as a military medic, she proactively researched methods for caring for, preventing, and treating diseases in livestock. In a short time, she built a livestock farming model with nearly 1,000 animals, regularly selling them each year, creating a stable income and improving her life.

Not stopping there, she boldly implemented many other models such as raising chickens, ducks, fish, quail, and some less common livestock like rabbits and snails. Initially, she only raised a few dozen animals of each kind, but to expand her herd, she invested heavily in egg incubators to create new breeds. At one point, her quail farm had nearly 8,000 birds.

With such a large number of livestock at that time, her farming model was considered a "bright spot" in the local livestock sector, and many farmers came to buy breeding stock and learn from her experience.

For her achievements, she was awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal by the President of Vietnam and recognized as an exemplary farmer in the emulation movement for excellent production and business and new rural development during the period 2010-2014. In addition, she received a Certificate of Merit from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association as an exemplary member in the emulation movement for excellent production and business during the period 2012-2017.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the livestock and poultry trade came to a standstill. Due to her advanced age and lingering effects of war injuries, Mrs. Lien's health gradually deteriorated, forcing her to stop her livestock farming. After the pandemic, she resumed raising ducks, chickens, quail, and fish in a small pond to improve her family's meals.

Mrs. Pham Thi Lien's family home has become a welcoming place for veterans to return, reminisce about the past, and remember their comrades.

Also from a family with a revolutionary tradition, at the age of 17, Mr. Pham Van Tam (a meritorious individual - a resistance fighter who was exposed to chemical toxins, residing in Ben Luc commune) joined the secret base of the Ben Luc town commando unit (now Ben Luc commune). Two years later, he was discovered by the enemy, taken to a secret base, and separated from his family.

After peace was restored, he was assigned to various positions and responsibilities, from Secretary of the Youth Union and Head of the Long Phu Health Station to Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ben Luc District. In 2014, Mr. Tam retired but continued to be trusted to hold the position of Vice Chairman of the District's Association for the Promotion of Learning. In 2015, he became Head of the District's Senior Citizens Association Representative Board until July 2025. In every position, he excellently fulfilled all assigned tasks.

Mr. Tam shared: "The price of independence and freedom is immense, paid for with the blood of countless outstanding sons and daughters of our homeland. I am luckier than many of my comrades to have witnessed the day the country was unified, the nation brought together as one, so I must live responsibly, in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of my comrades."

Not only did Mr. Tam excel in fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Party and the State, but he also upheld the revolutionary traditions of his family, educating his children and grandchildren about positive values, the spirit of solidarity, and the will to overcome difficulties. These teachings have deeply permeated their hearts, enabling his children and grandchildren to continue the glorious traditions of their family.

Mr. Tam's contributions and sacrifices have been recognized by the Party and the State with many prestigious titles and awards, such as: the Second Class Resistance Medal, the Medal for the Advancement of Women, the Commemorative Medal for Mass Mobilization Work, and numerous certificates of merit and commendations from various levels and sectors. On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947 – July 27, 2025), Mr. Tam is one of six exemplary individuals from Tay Ninh who will participate in the 2025 Meeting of Meritorious Individuals and Historical Witnesses in Hanoi.

Comradeship and camaraderie

Fifty years after peace was restored, Mrs. Pham Thi Lien still feels a deep pain when she talks about her fallen comrades. Rubbing the raised mark on her thigh, she said, "Here, there's still a shrapnel fragment on my thigh that hasn't been removed yet." Then she recounted that this was the mark of a midnight B52 bombing raid by the enemy at the Central Committee Headquarters in Tan Chau in 1972. At that time, she and five comrades were transporting the wounded when a bomb hit their shelter, burying them. Her comrades perished, and she was the only one who miraculously survived.

Pham Van Tam (fourth from the right), a meritorious individual, attends the 2025 Meeting of Meritorious Individuals and Historical Witnesses.

Even now, decades later, the bomb wound on her head still bothers her when the weather changes, but her strong hands and nimble legs keep her from faltering on her journey to find the remains of her fallen comrades. She said, "I used to be a medic, and I personally buried many martyrs. I still remember where they were buried, so when agencies and departments ask me to participate in the search for the remains of martyrs, I am always ready to go."

Since 1995, Ms. Lien has been a member of the Ministry of Public Security's team searching for the remains of fallen soldiers. She has searched every area from National Highway 22 to Ca Tum and Soc Ta Thiet (Tan Chau). To date, with her help, hundreds of remains have been recovered.
The remains of fallen soldiers have been found and brought back to cemeteries for burial.

However, not all fallen soldiers whose remains are found have been identified. This has been a concern for her and her husband for many years. In 2010, Mrs. Lien and her husband built a small shrine in front of their house to worship and hold ceremonies commemorating the heroes and martyrs. For the past 15 years, Mrs. Lien's house has become a familiar place for organizing activities to commemorate the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs. The shrine she built in front of her house has also become a place where former veterans come to light incense and remember their fallen comrades.

Not only are they wholeheartedly devoted to their deceased comrades, but Mrs. Lien and her husband are also kind and compassionate people who care deeply about those around them. Over the years, she has contributed to and helped secure more than 10 houses for families receiving government assistance in the local area, and has given gifts to families in difficult circumstances during holidays and festivals.

At the age of 70, when the weather changes, Mr. Pham Van Tam's entire body aches from injuries caused by Agent Orange. Yet, he still diligently participates as a People's Assessor at the Ben Luc Court (now the District Court 4, Tay Ninh province) and engages in local charitable and social activities. For this soldier of Uncle Ho, as long as he has his health, he will continue to contribute.

Mr. Tam added: “When we joined the revolution, we didn't expect future generations to repay us, but only for the common goal of winning independence and freedom for the nation. Yet, today's generation always knows how to appreciate and be grateful to those who contributed to the revolution. Activities of gratitude are organized regularly, creating a deep and wide-ranging impact on social life. The 2025 meeting of meritorious individuals and exemplary historical witnesses is not only an event of gratitude but also a connecting point between the glorious past and the innovative present. Here, I was able to meet my comrades and fellow soldiers again, in a moment of overwhelming happiness.”

During the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, the previous generation wrote glorious chapters in the nation's history. And upon returning to peacetime, former soldiers of Uncle Ho's army, such as Mrs. Pham Thi Lien and Mr. Pham Van Tam, have once again etched into the hearts of the people their silent but immense contributions to the building of their homeland and country.

Linh San - Quynh Nhu - Le Ngoc

Source: https://baolongan.vn/tro-ve-tu-lua-dan-viet-tiep-trang-su-vang-a199435.html