Attending the gift-giving ceremony were Major General Doan Xuan Bo, Party Secretary, Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper; representatives of the leaders and commanders of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command; representatives of accompanying units: Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Dien Bien Phu branch, Northern Power Corporation, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company; representatives of the Le Thuy District People's Committee, the People's Committees of Ngu Thuy and Ngu Thuy Bac communes, Ngu Thuy Border Guard Station, and Le Thuy District Military Command.

Paying tribute to heroic female soldiers

In Quang Binh - the revolutionary homeland, it has been a long time since there has been a sweet March cold like this. Those were the words of the ladies when they attended the gift-giving ceremony to honor 72 former militiamen of the Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company (when it was established, it was called "Xe Gai"). However, the cold of the Ban girl seemed to be gradually pushed back by the warm and affectionate atmosphere of today's generation showing gratitude to the previous generation.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo speaks at the gift-giving ceremony. Photo: Tuan Huy
Delegates at the gift-giving ceremony for the female former militia of the Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company. Photo: Tuan Huy

At the Ngu Thuy Border Post Hall, near the area of ​​the old artillery battle, the former female militia of the Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company were present early. Tight hugs, gray hair mixed together, teary eyes on the day of the meeting... Mixed in with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore of Le Thuy, stories of old battles, feelings about daily life today were shared by the women throughout the meeting and gift-giving session.

Meeting the former female militia of the Ngu Thuy Artillery Company right at the foot of the Ngu Thuy Female Artillery Monument, Major General Doan Xuan Bo, Party Secretary and Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper, kindly visited the mothers and the girls and expressed his emotion when seeing the girls still healthy and cheerful; sending deep gratitude to the girls - the heroic female soldiers who did not spare their youth to contribute to protecting the independence and freedom of the nation.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo and female former artillery militiamen of Ngu Thuy. Photo: Tuan Huy

At the meeting and gift-giving ceremony, Major General Doan Xuan Bo shared: "Today, generations living in peace are here to pay tribute and present gifts to the O - the female soldiers of the heroic Ngu Thuy Female Artillery Company. We are deeply moved to return to the land of Ngu Thuy to meet the legendary Ngu Thuy female artillerymen. The feats of the O have demonstrated the indomitable spirit, love for independence and freedom of our nation, rather sacrifice everything than lose the country, not accept slavery; have continued the spirit of Ba Trung, Ba Trieu and the national heroines. The indomitable will of the Ngu Thuy female artillerymen also demonstrates the indomitable spirit of not giving up in the face of difficulties and hardships, no matter how much sacrifice, determined to preserve every inch of the homeland of the Le Thuy people".

Former female militia members of the Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company at the gift-giving ceremony. Photo: Tuan Huy

Today's generation is very fortunate to meet again, shake hands, and hug the Ladies, the legendary people in flesh and blood in everyday life. We are also always aware that this meeting is an opportunity to review, to be more proud of the heroic memories of the nation and to deepen our deep gratitude and appreciation for the Ladies - the steadfast women who devoted their youth, not sparing their blood and bones for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

Memories of the Loyal Female Warriors

Present at the gift-giving ceremony early, O Tran Thi Than, former Political Commissar of the Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company, head of the Company's liaison committee, could not help but be moved. O shared that although the distance was not too far, due to living conditions, the former young people of "Xe gai" rarely had the opportunity to meet together. Therefore, this gift-giving meeting was one of the few such occasions for the O to meet, to share memories of the time with the artillery tray and even daily stories now.

Former militiawoman Tran Thi Than, former Political Commissar of Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company, spoke at the gift-giving ceremony. Photo: Tuan Huy

Mrs. Tran Thi Than and the former female militiamen recalled: More than 60 years ago, in 1965, the US imperialists expanded their war to the North. At that time, Quang Binh province was a strategic area that served as a bridge between the Northern rear and the Southern battlefield. That is why the US focused on the bombing. Quang Binh land in general and Le Thuy district in particular, at that time, suffered many losses due to the enemy's bombs and bullets.

In that situation, in addition to many reinforced forces, on November 20, 1967, the Ngu Thuy female artillery company (also known as "Xe gai") was established with 37 soldiers (later increased to 91), all very young, aged from 16 to 22, equipped with 4 85mm cannons. After two months of training, the company deployed to the battlefield and entered the battle. From 1968 to 1972, the company participated in many fierce battles.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo talks with former militiamen of Ngu Thuy Women's Artillery Company. Photo: Tuan Huy

With their courage and bravery, the female soldiers have shot down American warships five times. With that achievement, the Company was awarded many medals and certificates of merit. Many comrades were admitted to the Party right on the artillery platform. On August 25, 1970, the Ngu Thuy female artillery company was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State. The feats of the Ngu Thuy female artillerymen became the inspiration for the construction of the Ngu Thuy female artillery monument right at the old battlefield.

Spread the spirit of sharing to the community

At the meeting and gift-giving ceremony, 72 gifts worth 2 million VND each were sent by the Organizing Committee to the female former militiamen, former soldiers of the Ngu Thuy Female Artillery Company. According to the Organizing Committee, these small gifts cannot compensate for the great sacrifices and losses of the O, but they are the hearts and gratitude of today's generation for the previous generation.

Not only is it a gratitude activity, but it is even more meaningful and influential as it is one of the highlight activities within the framework of the workshop "Military Region 4 - Resilient Frontline, Solid Rear" towards the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2025). From there, the meeting and gift-giving will contribute to spreading the spirit of gratitude, care and sharing of the whole society more and more to the O so that the female soldiers of the heroic unit can have a better life, worthy of what they have contributed and sacrificed.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo presents gifts to female veterans of Ngu Thuy artillery militia. Photo: Tuan Huy
Representative of the Quang Binh Provincial Military Command presented gifts. Photo: Tuan Huy
Representative of the unit accompanying the program giving gifts. Photo: Tuan Huy

In the story of the O's reunion, at the foot of the Ngu Thuy female artillery monument, the soldiers of the past could not help but be proud when mentioning the artillery site that was ranked as a "National Historical and Cultural Relic" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. And right at that artillery site, the Ngu Thuy female artillery monument was built to become a typical historical work to educate the younger generation about tradition and is the pride of the people here.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo and former militiamen of Ngu Thuy Artillery Company. Video: Tran Anh

After the war, returning to normal life, the O put behind their achievements, sacrifices and losses to quietly return to their daily lives, take care of their families, and join hands to build their homeland. Currently, although the O still face many difficulties in life, the female soldiers of the heroic "Xe gai" of the past, whose names have gone down in history as legends, continue to promote the indomitable will of the descendants of Ba Trung and Ba Trieu to continue to beautify and beautify the immortal monument in the hearts of today's generation.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Ngoc, Political Commissar of the Military Command of Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province, in addition to the one-time subsidy and health insurance, up to now, all levels, sectors and local authorities have sought many solutions to call for support, but up to now, despite their advanced age, many mothers and women still face difficulties in life. The locality also hopes that through support activities and the sharing of the community, the former female artillery militia of Ngu Thuy will have a better life.

Major General Doan Xuan Bo presents gifts to former female militiamen of Ngu Thuy Artillery Company. Video: Tran Anh

Carrying the hopes of Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Ngoc, looking at the silver hair of the female soldiers of the past fluttering in the Le Thuy sea breeze, going down the Kien Giang River to see the Ngu Thuy female artillery monument, we kept telling ourselves, it is they, it is the O who devoted their youth to the Fatherland, who have been, are and will forever be immortal monuments in the hearts of today's generation to spread the patriotic, indomitable, resilient spirit of the homeland of Le Thuy, the revolutionary homeland of Quang Binh in particular and of the entire heroic Vietnamese nation.

The main activity of the workshop “Military Region 4 - Resilient Frontline, Solid Rear” organized by the People's Army Newspaper in coordination with the Military Region 4 Command will take place tomorrow morning (April 3) in Vinh City, Nghe An Province with the participation of heroes, generals, scientists, and historical researchers inside and outside the military.

Quick notes by TRAN ANH - MINH TU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/chinh-tri/tiep-lua-truyen-thong/nang-nghia-tri-an-tren-que-huong-cach-mang-822214