Memoirs of a veteran

Despite his advanced age, Colonel Nguyen Hong Vinh (Binh Tam commune, Tan An city) still regularly contributes articles to the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts.

Memories of my twenties

At over 70 years old, Colonel Nguyen Hong Vinh (born in 1954, residing in Binh Tam commune, Tan An city, Long An province) still vividly remembers the unforgettable days of wartime. His hair has turned gray with age, but his voice remains vibrant, and his eyes light up whenever he recalls his comrades and the memories that have become an integral part of the life of this soldier of Uncle Ho .

Mr. Vinh was born into a family with a rich revolutionary tradition. His paternal uncles and great-uncles sacrificed their lives in the resistance against the French, and his father also participated in the resistance and was a wounded veteran. Mr. Vinh said: “In my generation, two brothers also participated in the revolution, and then one of them died at the end of 1974… He was only 18 years old at the time. It was very painful… but we suppressed our grief.”

During his teenage years, he attended Tan An High School, a time when the Saigon government's police and secret agents were closely monitoring students. However, thanks to his family tradition and the guidance of his uncles and older brothers, this high school student (then called secondary school) was admitted into the Ho Chi Minh Revolutionary Youth Union.

“Back then, even though we were aware of the revolutionary struggle, we were still very naive as young people. Once, we took a commemorative photo with our group of classmates from the same youth union, and one of them left to join the army. Later, he was shot dead by the enemy, and they found the photo in his jacket pocket… Knowing the news, we all hid and didn’t dare go to school anymore. To this day, I don’t know if I was in the photo or not…” – Mr. Vinh recounted.

“In 1972, my younger brother and I ‘suddenly disappeared.’ The authorities in Binh Lap commune at the time summoned my parents to the commune office to question them repeatedly. They told them that my brother and I had become monks, but they didn’t believe us and kept harassing us,” he recounted in a somber tone.

Mr. Vinh said that there are moments in a person's life that they will never forget, even until death. For him, that was the morning of April 30, 1975, the day of the liberation of Tan An town, the liberation of Long An province, and the liberation of the South, unifying the country. Mr. Vinh recounted: "At 8 a.m., we, the youth union members, were given a gun and then, along with the commando forces, advanced into the town to take over. My old schoolmates from the town center were very surprised when they saw me walking among the soldiers with a gun slung over my shoulder!"

“That day, the people were overjoyed, the streets were bustling with excitement, but some were still wary because for decades they had been subjected to propaganda portraying them as ‘cruel communists’! When they saw our soldiers arrive, and everything was fine, they were friendly and disciplined, so the people gradually trusted them and joined in the joyful atmosphere celebrating the victory,” Mr. Vinh added.

Continue to contribute

After liberation, Mr. Vinh was selected to study in Hanoi , and later assigned to a key unit defending the homeland on the southwestern border. He was assigned to the 325th Infantry Division - 2nd Corps (now the 12th Corps), where he underwent training before marching south.

In early December 1978, he went to the Ha Tien - Kien Giang area to become a Vietnamese volunteer soldier, helping the enemy fight against Pol Pot and Ieng Sary. The battle was fierce; many of his comrades were wounded or killed, and in some cases, their remains have yet to be brought back to their homeland.

And so, the soldier of yesteryear passed through the years with a burning desire to achieve independence. Upon returning to civilian life, he carried with him unforgettable memories, not only physical wounds but also the pain of losing loved ones. To achieve the peace we have today, our entire nation paid a very high price, including the personal suffering of himself and his family.

Before retiring, he held the rank of Colonel and served as Head of the Military Personnel Department, under the Staff Office (Provincial Military Command). This was the culmination of a lifetime of military service, not only through blood and tears but also through an unwavering and persistent spirit. Leaving behind the years of bombs and bullets, today, in his small house in Binh Tam commune, Colonel Vinh smiles brightly when asked how he feels seeing the country change day by day.

Every day, Mr. Nguyen Hong Vinh enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, and tending to his small ornamental garden in front of his house.

“After 50 years of independence, I am extremely happy to see my homeland developing, with a prosperous life and children going to school every day. What I cherish most is that our country has maintained a peaceful environment and political stability. This is the most important thing for all citizens. When I watch the news about the constant conflicts and wars around the world, and the suffering of the people, I understand even more deeply the meaning of peace. The strength of our Party and State lies in our resolute commitment to the strategy of independence, self-reliance, and territorial integrity, yet our flexible approach to dealing with all situations,” Mr. Vinh said with a proud look in his eyes.

When asked what he expects from the younger generation, Mr. Vinh shared his thoughts: “I hope that future generations will not forget history, will not forget the blood and sacrifices made by our ancestors. Be grateful for and cherish peace! And live responsibly, study hard, work well, live decently,... for the country, and for your own future.”

Even after retirement, Mr. Nguyen Hong Vinh's spirit of dedication never wavered. From 2009 to 2022, he served as the Party Secretary of the hamlet. Only when he was nearly 70 years old and his health declined did he retire. Nevertheless, he continues to participate in activities at the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts and is the Chairman of the Retired Persons' Club of Binh Tam commune.

Looking back on the journey so far, each war memory is a sacred piece in the great national struggle for independence. Though painful, it is also a source of immense pride. The silent sacrifices led to reunification, creating an independent, peaceful Vietnam that is now striving for development.

Minh An

Source: https://baolongan.vn/hoi-uc-cua-mot-cuu-binh-a193961.html