Going through the war...

1. We had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Tran Van Tac (born in 1955, residing in Nhut Ninh commune, Tan Tru district, Long An province) during those historic April days. Memories of the national liberation war are still vivid in his mind; he reminisced about those arduous yet proud days.

At the age of 17, witnessing the enemy's destruction of his homeland, he joined the youth movement and worked clandestinely in the local area. His initial tasks included delivering letters, bringing food, and transporting the wounded for local soldiers. By September 1974, he was active in the resistance zone of Ong Ban Quy Temple and Dam La Toi Troi.

As a village guerrilla fighter, he and his comrades fought side-by-side, participating in many battles against enemy outposts and counter-raids in the communes of Nhựt Ninh, Đức Tân, and Tân Phước Tây.

Mr. Tac recalled: "At the end of 1974, I, along with other units, coordinated with higher-level troops to sweep through and attack enemy outposts. After achieving victory in the area (hamlet), I and the soldiers mobilized the people to dig tunnels, build combat barriers, and plant grenades for defense... Thanks to this, we gradually gained many important positions in the area."

Mr. Tran Van Tac (Nhut Ninh commune, Tan Tru district) fondly recalls the years he lived and fought alongside his comrades.

In early 1975, the situation on the Southern battlefield changed rapidly. The liberated areas expanded quickly. In Long An province, around mid-April, many communes in the districts of Chau Thanh, Tan Tru, Can Duoc, and Can Giuoc were liberated.

On April 20th, in the northern areas of Thu Thua and Ben Luc, many enemy outposts and fortifications were completely wiped out. From that moment, the young man realized that he, his comrades, and the people could proudly and officially take control of their own homeland. The days of hardship and secrecy, the immense sacrifices of his comrades, were finally rewarded.

After the reunification of the country , Mr. Tac continued his work and held many important positions at the local level, such as deputy head of the commune militia, head of the commune police, chairman of the commune People's Committee, and secretary of the Party branch, etc.

Until 2004, he served as Chairman of the Tan Tru District Red Cross Society. After retirement, he actively participated in local social work and activities. Currently, he holds the position of Chairman of the Elderly Association of Nhut Ninh Commune. Regardless of his position, he has always demonstrated a pioneering and exemplary spirit, wholeheartedly serving the revolution, his homeland, the country, and the people.

Nowadays, in addition to producing goods to support his family, he always encourages and educates his children and grandchildren to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and work with the local community to build a prosperous and beautiful homeland.

Mr. Tac proudly said, "The revolution has steered the ship through rough seas and towards the future. Who wouldn't be happy to see our homeland as it is today!"

2. When we asked about his memories from the fighting years, the memories of a time "shoulder to shoulder" with his comrades suddenly flooded back to Mai Bá Đẫm (born in 1955), the Party Branch Secretary and Head of Nhựt Long Hamlet, Nhựt Ninh Commune, Tân Trụ District.

In 1970, he joined the guerrilla forces operating secretly in three hamlets, digging secret tunnels and booby traps with his comrades, mobilizing young people to build combat barriers, and organizing young people to steal grenades for the soldiers, etc.

In 1973, he was responsible for monitoring the enemy's troop deployments in the area and reporting to the revolutionary base to launch attacks and eliminate them.

Mr. Mai Bá Đẫm (Nhựt Ninh commune, Tân Trụ district) always works alongside the people to build a more prosperous and beautiful homeland.

He caused the disintegration of a company belonging to the 303rd Battalion. Continuing the Ho Chi Minh Campaign , he mobilized young people to participate in transporting the wounded, ammunition, and food for the troops.

Throughout his military career, he participated in dozens of battles against enemy offensives, attacking enemy outposts and fortifications. During these battles, he always maintained a firm stance, displayed resourcefulness and quick thinking, and killed or wounded many enemy soldiers.

Each battle filled him with pride and indescribable joy for contributing to the expulsion of the invading enemy. For these achievements, he was awarded the Second Class Resistance Medal for his contributions to the fight against the American invasion.

Fifty years have passed since the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country. The young soldier of yesteryear is now a Party member with 50 years of Party membership. His health has declined, but the memories of those wartime days remain vivid in his mind. He may no longer remember the specific details of each battle precisely, but he can never forget some decisive battles and historical moments like April 30th.

Mr. Dam said: "When we heard the news that the district had been liberated, I and the people in the hamlet went to the district to collect weapons, ammunition, etc., and transport them back to the base for safekeeping. Everyone was happy and excited when the South was liberated and the country was unified."

During these historic April days, the memories of a time of arduous yet heroic struggle for the veterans come flooding back. And the historic victory of April 30th is not only a milestone marking the end of the war and the reunification of the country, but also a symbol of the indomitable will, solidarity, and the aspiration for independence and freedom of the entire nation.

Thanh My

Source: https://baolongan.vn/di-qua-cuoc-chien--a194045.html