50 years of National Reunification: Youth memories named Thanh Nien Phong

More than 70% of female farmers are "Three Virtuous" on the agricultural production front with the spirit of "one hand plowing, one hand shooting," both producing and ready to fight. In the photo: Squad 2, consisting of all women from Company 551, General 55 of Ha Tinh Youth Volunteers, opens a new road for vehicles to the front line. (Photo: Van Sac/VNA)

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Over more than half a century, from the fierce war years to the renovation period, the joy of independence is intertwined with lingering memories.

In the flow of history, there is a generation that is forever engraved - those who wore the green uniform of the Youth Volunteers, dedicating their entire youth to writing heroic history for the nation.

Forever live the spirit of Youth Volunteers

In 1975, when the country entered the reconstruction period, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union established Youth Volunteer Teams with the task of reclaiming, restoring, and irrigation in suburban areas.

The Central Committee for Land Reclamation and New Economic Development established two Youth Volunteer Teams to build new economic zones in Tay Ninh and Song Be (currently Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc provinces). These were the two predecessor teams of the City Youth Volunteer Team and the New Economic Development Youth Volunteer Team.

On March 28, 1976, more than 10,000 enthusiastic young people set out for the most desolate and harsh lands, which used to be “white belts,” to transform them into new economic zones full of vitality. The Youth Volunteer Force dug canals to drain alum, prevent flooding, irrigate, build dikes, reinforce irrigation systems, build dikes to prevent salinity, and build dams. Thanks to that, farms growing crops and food appeared one after another, greening the white lands that had been plowed by bullets and bombs.

The Youth Volunteers continued to set foot in more remote areas to revive the green color on the barren lands, from Kien Giang, Long An, to Lam Dong, Dak Lak. In the new lands, after reclaiming the land, the Youth Volunteers planted wheat, sorghum, sugarcane...

Two years after liberation, the once-deserted lands have regained their green color, becoming "green belts," bringing new life to thousands of families who have settled down, contributing to creating a new look for the Southern region and the Southern Central Highlands.

However, in 1977, the reactionary Pol Pot - Ieng Sary group continuously invaded Vietnam, brutally murdered its people, caused the bloody southwestern border war, seriously violated the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam. Once again, the Youth Volunteer Force took the lead in the battle.

Phi Lai Pagoda is the place that witnessed the horrifying massacre of the Ba Chuc people by Pol Pot's army. (Photo: Archive)

There were petitions written in blood asking to go to the battlefield, there were promises to dedicate their entire youth to the country. Not only did they participate in opening roads, supplying food, building defense fortifications, they also directly fought side by side with the army, protecting the Fatherland. On the border land of Tay Ninh, 99 Youth Volunteer cadres and members fell, contributing to firmly protecting the border and fulfilling their noble international duty.

Today, there is a Ho Chi Minh City Youth Volunteer Martyrs Memorial Area built in Long Phuoc Commune, Ben Cau District, Tay Ninh Province, which is not only a place of gratitude, but also a historical witness. Every year, on major holidays, former comrades return here, quietly burning incense to remember those who have forever stopped at the age of twenty.

The journey continues

These last days of March, in the atmosphere of the whole country looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, recalling a historic Spring, when the nation emerged from the flames of war, affirming the desire for peace and development. Half a century has passed, Vietnam has grown strong, but the memories of the sacrifices are still there. And in the flow of time, former Youth Volunteers return to the southwestern border region, burning incense to pay tribute to their fallen comrades - those who devoted their youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

Ms. Duong Thi Ngoc, a female volunteer who was present at the Tay Ninh border front, said: “We witnessed our soldiers and comrades sacrifice. But at that time, the love for the country was greater than the fear. Everyone wanted to devote themselves.” That motivation helped her overcome everything, day after day carrying the wounded, carrying ammunition until she was tired, night after night building roads under the moonlight.

Lighting incense for his old comrades, former Youth Volunteer Doan Ngoc Hung emotionally shared: “When we arrived here, we were all very young, with only enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. And when our comrades fell, we understood that each person still alive must live a life worthy of the country.”

Returning to the land that was once plowed by bombs and bullets, Mr. Hung and the former Youth Volunteers could not help but be moved by the miraculous changes. The green fields stretched out where the once desolate “white belt” used to be, the red dirt roads were now smooth concrete, leading to the people’s houses. Many years ago, he and his comrades shed sweat, tears, even blood and bones to open roads, build bridges, and rebuild their lives. Today, standing in the midst of that change, he understands that the sacrifices of that day were not in vain, the homeland has revived, the border has been stabilized, and the spirit of the Youth Volunteers still resonates with great enthusiasm.

Inheriting that pioneering spirit, Mr. Nguyen Trung Han, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, affirmed: “We are proud to continue the tradition of the Youth Union. The stories of sacrifice and dedication of the previous generation are the motivation for today's young generation to strive, constantly study and practice.”

According to the Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Volunteer Force, Mr. Le Minh Khoa, after 49 years of construction and development, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Volunteer Force is not only a shock force in difficult tasks but also a great school for young people as Uncle Ho taught. Every cadre and member of the Youth Volunteer Force today always maintains the pioneering spirit, creativity, solidarity, and excellently completes the tasks assigned by the City.

In the coming journey, that spirit will continue to be promoted with appropriate innovations to attract and inspire the younger generation. Because more than anyone else, those wearing green shirts understand that the spirit of the Youth Volunteers does not only belong to the past, but is also the driving force to build the future./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/50-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-ky-uc-tuoi-thanh-xuan-mang-ten-thanh-nien-xung-phong-post1022493.vnp