The story of the silent caretaker in Huong Son

Although he has not been a caretaker at the Nam Martyrs Cemetery (in Sinh Co village, Son Chau commune, Huong Son, Ha Tinh) for long, Ho Thanh Hai (born in 1973) has been deeply attached to it and voluntarily stayed there for the rest of his life...

Nam martyrs cemetery.

Volunteer to apply to be a site manager

Every day, the slow footsteps, the rustling sound of bamboo brooms gently stirring up yellow leaves, and the quiet hands of Mr. Ho Thanh Hai cutting grass and cleaning graves… resound in the quiet space of the Nam Martyrs Cemetery (Huong Son). This quiet work seems to bring warmth and comfort to the heroic martyrs resting here.

Every day, Mr. Hai spends most of his time working at Nam Martyrs Cemetery.

Nam Martyrs Cemetery currently has nearly 1,200 martyrs’ graves. Having been doing this job for nearly 6 years, Mr. Hai now knows the location of each grave by heart.

Talking about the opportunity to join this job, Mr. Hai shared: “In early 2018, the caretaker of the Nam Martyrs Cemetery quit his job, so I voluntarily wrote an application to do this job. Although at that time, many relatives were not satisfied because I was working as a driver, with a fairly stable income, while the job of looking after a cemetery was only for retirees with time. However, with my wife's encouragement, I did not hesitate to accept the job and considered it a fateful relationship. From then on, I became the caretaker of the Nam Martyrs Cemetery until now.”

Mr. Hai always prepares and takes care of each grave himself.

Another reason why Mr. Hai decided to become a caretaker was because his uncle, martyr Ho Quang Huy, who died in 1973 in the Central Highlands, has yet to be buried. He and his family have always hoped that in a cemetery somewhere, martyr Ho Quang Huy would be worshiped. The caretaker job has therefore become a way for him and his family to express that wish.

For Mr. Hai, this site management job is not too tiring but requires diligence, meticulousness, and working with all one's heart and responsibility.

Relatives visit martyrs at Nam Martyrs Cemetery.

Every year, especially on holidays, New Year, and the anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), Nam Martyrs Cemetery welcomes many delegations of officials, individuals, and families of martyrs to visit and express their gratitude to the heroic martyrs. On such occasions, Mr. Hai's work increases 2 or 3 times compared to normal days. But for him, it is a very proud job, he does it not only because of responsibility but also because of the heart of a cemetery manager.

The resting place of martyrs is always carefully cared for.

Mr. Hai confided: “I was born during the period when the war against the US was almost over, the Paris Agreement was signed. However, through the stories of my parents and the sacrifice of my uncle, I understood the fierceness of the war and the loss and pain of those who stayed behind. That fierceness comes not only from the sacrifices but also from the pain that lasts until today, when millions of martyrs' graves are lying across the country, some of whom have unknown names.”

Willing to be a caretaker until my eyes are dim and my legs shake

Due to the nature of his work, Mr. Hai spends more time at the cemetery than at home. The days when the weather changes, whether it is cold or hot, are often quite difficult, but for him, those are only temporary difficulties, because above all, he loves this job, wants to stick with it and contribute until his eyes are blurred and his legs are shaking. "The job quietly gives me peaceful moments. I love this job as the way I protect my family," Mr. Hai shared.

The temple of President Ho Chi Minh and the heroic martyrs at the Nam Martyrs Cemetery is carefully looked after and cared for by Mr. Hai.

The harsh sun of the last days of July made his back drenched in sweat, but he did not mind diligently cleaning each tombstone, pulling out each blade of grass to make the cemetery more beautiful or simply preparing the offerings more neatly.

Mr. Hai's silent work at Nam martyrs cemetery.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thiet (from Pho Chau town, Huong Son) - a relative of martyr Nguyen Dinh Tu said: "My brother sacrificed in 1979 on the Cambodian battlefield and was laid to rest at Nam Martyrs Cemetery. Every holiday, my family and I arrange to come here and burn incense for him. Coming to the cemetery, seeing the clean and tidy grounds..., I can only say thank you to Mr. Hai and hope he has good health to continue with this job."

With graves that have not been identified and have no relatives to visit, Mr. Hai always considers them as relatives and takes good care of them. He confided: “I vow to take care of them wholeheartedly while I still have the strength and consider this my own happiness. And above all, the motivation for me to stick with the job is the gratitude and appreciation of future generations for generations of fathers and brothers who have fallen for the survival of the nation.”

Mr. Hai carefully takes care of each row of trees in the cemetery.

Overcoming the "gossip" when accepting the job of caretaker at a young age, Mr. Hai is more confident thanks to the companionship and sharing of his wife and family. Ms. Luu Thi Vy Sen (born in 1979, Mr. Hai's wife) shared: "This job does not pay much, the time spent at the cemetery is more than at home, but that is my husband's wish, so my children and I are very supportive. This is also a job to accumulate virtue for our children and grandchildren, so we do not hesitate."

The job of a caretaker is like a predestined relationship with Mr. Hai.

For Mr. Hai, being able to contribute to beautifying this sacred place and helping the relatives of the heroic martyrs take good care of each grave is a happiness that cannot be bought. So that in the future, whenever the relatives of the martyrs come to visit, they will feel at ease and silently thank the silent caretakers...

Van Chung

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/chuyen-nguoi-quan-trang-tham-lang-o-huong-son/251360.htm