Telling a story of peace: My father's Truong Son soldier qualities

My father and mother took a photo in Mai Ha village, Xuan Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province. My father was a soldier in Truong Son, my mother was a youth volunteer of the 559th group - Photo: NVCC

People also say: "In this day and age, we must aim for new things so that our children and grandchildren will not criticize or be looked down upon." But no matter what anyone says, for my father and his comrades who went through the war, that topic is always the "hottest" on the morning tea tables or at events in the village and commune.

That is the story of war. It is the marches through the jungle and wading through streams, the trips of the Truong Son soldiers, the story of eating wild vegetables or about backpacks, canteens, belts, and military vehicles.

The most common stories were about comrades: when comrades died, were seriously injured, when they were hungry and cold, sharing joys and sorrows. They always shook hands and smiled when they met, as if they were reliving their old military days.

Soldier's life story

My father was born in 1943 and used to be a driver transporting weapons, ammunition and food on the Truong Son route. My father was promoted to the rank of professional captain. After 1975, he became a civilian until his retirement.

My father still enjoys the stories of his life as a soldier. Although he is 82 years old this year, his memories of the army and Truong Son are always present in the mind of the veteran in his twilight years. Even when he was in the hospital, in his delirium, my father kept mentioning things like 12mm 7mm mortars, 60mm mortars, 82mm mortars, DKZ, grenades, assaults...

When participating in the village veterans association, my father actively encouraged young people to participate and was ready to tell stories of his war experiences to the members when they met.

My father told me that sometimes when a soldier driving a vehicle in Truong Son got seriously damaged, he had no tools available and had to fix it himself. He had to be proficient in driving and repairing vehicles, just by listening to the strange sound of the engine, he could tell what was wrong. Just by smelling a burning smell, he could tell what needed to be repaired or replaced.

Many days, the vehicle crossed a route where the enemy frequently dropped bombs, so we had to turn off the lights and still run to complete the job on schedule while still ensuring absolute safety.

That's my father, for decades I have always admired his personality. When we were young, my father taught my sister and I how to fold blankets and sheets into squares like bricks, and to keep the house tidy.

Dad said you reap what you sow, my child. Be careful, you will be safe. Teach your children to be careful so that when they grow up, they will always be careful, mature, and thoughtful in all their work.

Even when drying clothes, my father "holds my hand and shows me how to do it" and kindly reminds me that clothes should be hung neatly when drying. Long pants should be hung with long pants, bras should be hung with bras, small pants and shirts should be hung together and should be hung inside to be neat, beautiful and polite.

As daughters, my sister and I were also instilled with our father's soldierly nature without realizing it. Growing up, we were like our father in everything, big and small. Especially, we learned from him the ability to share the good and the bad, the spirit of will and creativity.

The story of the secret police

The stories my father told me were strange at first, but my sisters and I later understood them. It was my father's experience in the profession that helped him gain a lot of experience, especially the ability to make quite accurate predictions.

Then there were vivid stories about the lifestyle of Truong Son soldiers, like my father asking me: Do you know the origin of Canh Rau Tap Tang? Canh Rau Tap Tang is a type of soup made from many kinds of vegetables.

Due to shortages during the war, the soup always had many types of vegetables, as long as they were filling, edible, and not poisonous to the soldiers. The collection also spoke of the spirit of solidarity and closeness among comrades in times of difficulty and danger.

My father's story taught my sisters and I a valuable lesson. My father's mixed vegetable soup has become a reality in my family's meals today. It is true that when cooking soup with many types of vegetables such as sweet potato leaves, amaranth, Malabar spinach, and crab claws, it has a particularly delicious flavor.

Perhaps now there are many new things that we have to live, adapt to, and face, but we must never underestimate humanity, human love, mutual love, sharing the good and the bad, and self-reliance and creativity. It still has its value. That is the Truong Son soldier quality of my father.

My father is old now, but I am always proud of him - the one who left a strong mark on my sisters and I's journey to adulthood today. My father is not backward, not strange, but he always shows the spirit of a soldier.

Thank you readers for submitting your entries to the Peace Storytelling contest.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of peace, the Peace Storytelling writing contest (organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, accompanied by Vietnam Rubber Group) allows readers to send in touching, unforgettable stories of each family, each person as well as thoughts about the reunification day of April 30, 1975, about 50 years of peace.

The contest is open to all Vietnamese people at home and abroad, without age or occupation restrictions.

Peace Stories accepts articles of up to 1,200 words in Vietnamese, with accompanying photos and videos, and sent to the email address hoabinh@tuoitre.com.vn. Articles are only accepted via email, not via post to avoid loss.

Quality entries will be selected to be published on Tuoi Tre products, receive royalties, and the entries that pass the preliminary round will be printed into a book (no royalties paid - no sale). Entries must not have participated in any other writing contest and must not have been published on any media or social networks.

Authors are responsible for the copyright of their articles, photos and videos. They will not accept illustrative photos and videos taken from social networks without copyright. Authors must provide their address, phone number, email, account number, and citizen identification number so that the organizers can contact them and send them royalties or prizes.

As of March 20, the Peace Storytelling writing contest has received 80 entries from readers.

Award Ceremony and Book Launch of Peace Stories

The jury, including famous journalists, cultural figures and representatives of Tuoi Tre newspaper, will review and award prizes from the preliminary entries and choose to award prizes to the best entries.

The award ceremony, book launch of Peace Storytelling and special issue of Tuoi Tre newspaper 30-4 are expected to be held at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street at the end of April 2025. The decision of the organizing committee is final.

Peace Storytelling Award

- 1 first prize: 15 million VND + certificate, book, Tuoi Tre special edition.

- 2 second prizes: 7 million VND each + certificate, book, Tuoi Tre special edition.

- 3 third prizes: 5 million VND each + certificate, book, Tuoi Tre special edition.

- 10 consolation prizes: 2 million VND each + certificate, book, Tuoi Tre special issue.

- 10 reader-voted prizes: 1 million VND each + certificate, book, Tuoi Tre special issue. Voting points are calculated based on interactions with the article, in which 1 star = 15 points, 1 heart = 3 points, 1 like = 2 points.

The awards also come with certificates, books, and Tuoi Tre 30-4 special edition.

Organizing Committee

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LE PHAM PHUONG LAN (ARMY OFFICER SCHOOL 2)