Memories of the Fire and Flower Period

During the historic days of April, I went to Dai Ang commune (Thanh Tri district, Hanoi city) and met veteran Nguyen Danh Hien (born in 1953). Over a cup of warm tea, he enthusiastically told about the years of dedicating his youth to the country.

Born into a family with a rich revolutionary tradition, his grandfather, father and brother all participated in the resistance war against the French; his father was seriously wounded by the enemy on the battlefield. In January 1972, young Nguyen Danh Hien joined the army, following in his father's footsteps to protect the Fatherland and was assigned to Battalion 620, Division 338. The unit was tasked with training reinforcements for Military Region 3, ready to receive orders to march into the Southern battlefield. After 5 months of training new recruits, his unit marched into the Southern battlefield. On July 16, 1972, when he arrived in Quang Tri, he was assigned to the Signal Platoon of Battalion 3 (Regiment 9, Division 304, Corps 2).

Amidst the memories of a time of war, Mr. Hien recalled: “What I remember most is the battle on the night of September 12 and early morning of September 13, 1972 at Hill 138, Truong Phuoc range, Quang Tri. That day, I was assigned to the information mission for Company 9. When the unit approached the target, I lay near the company commander behind the termite mound, maintaining communication. Suddenly, the enemy fired an M19 mortar, one of which hit the company commander's position, killing him on the spot. In pain and shock, I myself was hit by shrapnel in my hand, but I still tried to report the situation to the battalion. After the battle, I was transferred to the rear for treatment. At the end of 1972, my wound healed, I returned to the unit, continued training, and was ready for the General Offensive and Uprising in Spring 1975.”

In mobile offensive operations in the mountains and forests, from company to division, signal soldiers need to have a strong political stance, good professional skills, ensure smooth communication, and convey accurate and timely two-way orders. Thanks to his excellent performance on the battlefield, on January 16, 1975, soldier Nguyen Danh Hien was honored to be admitted to the Party.

In early March 1975, after marching to station in Cam Chinh commune (Cam Lo district, Quang Tri province), information soldier Nguyen Danh Hien of Battalion 3, Regiment 9, Division 304, Corps 2 and his unit advanced rapidly along Highway 14B, 15B, approaching Thua Thien Hue, ready to wait for orders to liberate the city.

On March 25, after Hue was liberated, his unit attacked Da Nang. At dawn on March 29, Da Nang was shaken by artillery fire. Mr. Hien and his unit captured the Son Tra peninsula and took control of the important radar system.

After the victory in Da Nang, in early April 1975, Mr. Hien's unit went by sea to Quy Nhon city (Binh Dinh province) to do mass mobilization work. After that, the unit crossed passes, crossed forests, and passed through areas such as: Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan province), Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan province), Long Thanh, Bien Hoa (Dong Nai province)... At 5:00 p.m. on April 27, he and his comrades launched an attack on Long Thanh Infantry School and took control of the battlefield.

At dawn on April 30, 1975, Mr. Hien's Battalion 3 (Regiment 9, Division 304, Corps 2) received orders to attack the puppet Officer School in Thu Duc. When entering this area, Mr. Hien was one of the first to rush inside. The puppet soldiers were still sleeping, flustered and raised their hands to surrender.

Mr. Hien emotionally shared: “At 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the Liberation Army flag flew high above the Independence Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign was victorious, the country was unified. At that time, I was only 20 years old, standing in the blazing midday sun, choked with emotion: I could not believe I was still alive to see this day. On the street, people rushed out to hug the soldiers, the red flag with yellow star filled the sky... I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.”

Veteran Nguyen Danh Hien (far right) reunites with his comrades (July 2020). Photo: NVCC

The war has long since ended, but for Uncle Ho’s soldiers like Mr. Hien, the memories of those historic days are still fresh in their minds. It was not only the fierce battles but also the overwhelming happiness when the country was free of enemies. That sacred feeling gave them the strength to live fully with the ideal of serving the Fatherland, whether in wartime or peacetime.

Soldiers in peacetime

“After returning from the war, I always wondered: When peace comes, what should I do to live a useful life for society? With that thought in mind, I tried to overcome difficulties, rise up on all fronts, actively participate in local movements, support my comrades, and contribute to maintaining the spirit of Uncle Ho's soldiers in peacetime,” Mr. Hien proudly said.

In 1977, returning from the battlefield, the veteran and sick soldier with a 61% disability, Nguyen Danh Hien, took on the role of Party cell secretary and production team secretary of Nguyet Ang village (Dai Ang commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi city). With the knowledge he had acquired and the "steel" spirit of a soldier, Mr. Hien quickly caught up with local work, devoting himself to promoting the production emulation movement in his hometown.

Currently, veteran Nguyen Danh Hien continues to hold the role of Vice President of the Elderly Association of Dai Ang Commune, actively organizing health care activities for members, especially free examination of eye and bone and joint diseases for the elderly.

In 1993, Mr. Hien was elected Vice Chairman of the Commune Farmers' Association, then Chairman of the Association in 1994. In this position, he coordinated with the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences to implement a model of transplanting young rice seedlings, helping to double rice productivity compared to traditional methods. Thanks to that, Dai Ang commune gradually became a bright spot in the application of science in agriculture, attracting many localities to study and visit.

“After being discharged from the army and returning to my hometown, being trusted by the people to participate in many local activities has helped me love life more, overcome difficult times, and discouragement due to illness,” said Mr. Hien.

During the period 1995-2004, Mr. Hien was a member of the People's Committee of Dai Ang commune and also held the position of Vice Chairman of the Elderly Association of the commune. From 2011 to 2024, he was Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune. During this time, he and the Standing Committee of the Fatherland Front of the commune carried out many social activities in the locality. Specifically, mobilizing support for people in the Central region affected by storms and floods with a total amount of 152 million VND; the "For the Poor" fund reached 694 million VND; the "Beloved Truong Sa" fund mobilized 137 million VND; supporting the Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control fund with a total value of 381 million VND in both cash and in kind...

Along with that, Mr. Hien also participated in the campaign to build houses for poor households. From 2014 to 2023, Dai Ang commune built 20 solidarity houses with a total cost of 945 million VND and 12 policy houses with a total value of 990 million VND.

Talking about the most important thing that a soldier needs to have in peacetime, Mr. Hien concluded: “The root is to maintain the qualities of a soldier: Upright, straightforward, knowing how to change to adapt but not losing courage. And whenever the Fatherland needs us, no matter what position we are in, we are ready to contribute.”

Veteran Nguyen Danh Hien (5th from left, top row) with his former comrades and Thanh Tri district authorities visited the Independence Palace (November 2023). Photo: NVCC

Mr. Nguyen Van An - Chairman of the Veterans Association of Dai Ang Commune (Thanh Tri District, Hanoi City) proudly said: “Mr. Nguyen Danh Hien is one of the typical veterans of the locality. Returning from the battlefield, he did not choose to rest but continued to participate in social work with a high sense of responsibility. In every position, he strives to contribute to the community, especially in mobilizing and caring for the poor and families with meritorious services. His example has inspired many other veterans”.

From the battlefields of the past to the daily work in his hometown, Mr. Nguyen Danh Hien continues to affirm the qualities of a soldier with his dedication and responsibility to the community. Each position marks his silent but practical contributions. His story not only evokes memories of a difficult time, but also sends a message to today's young generation: Living responsibly and acting for the collective is a way to respect and worthily continue the values ​​of peace that our ancestors exchanged with their blood and bones.

Article and photos: HAI LY

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/50-nam-dai-thang-mua-xuan-1975/cuu-chien-binh-nguyen-danh-hien-xong-pha-thoi-chien-cong-hien-thoi-binh-824440