People's Armed Forces Hero Tran Kim Xuan is proud of his Certificates of Merit, Certificates of Merit and war relics. Photo: Tra Huong
Ensuring safety on the roads
During the years of the resistance war against the US to save the country, People's Armed Forces Hero Tran Kim Xuan - a son of Dinh Chu commune (Lap Thach) was the Captain of the bomb and mine disposal team of the Engineering Command. He led the company to successfully destroy more than 83,000 bombs and mines; of which, he directly handled nearly 1,500, contributing to ensuring the safety of the vital routes from North to South.
Mr. Xuan said: “The work of bomb and mine disposal always requires a high level of intelligence, spirit, perseverance and caution. To perform the assigned tasks well, my team and I have made great efforts to research ways to handle and successfully defuse many types of bombs and mines. I have created many new methods to minimize risks and increase the effectiveness of bomb and mine disposal such as digging trenches, connecting electric wires, creating fire points to detonate bombs from a distance; using rattan and wire ropes for camouflage, and dismantling explosive-entangled bombs... but the greatest success is dismantling magnetic bombs.”
In 1968, the US imperialists used MODEN2 magnetic bombs to attack and block our army's supply routes from the North to the South. With its complex operating principles and great destructive power, destroying MODEN2 magnetic bombs was very dangerous and difficult.
When directly approaching the magnetic bomb, Mr. Xuan had to recall the information he had heard before and try to think of a way to safely defuse the bomb. Finally, he decided to apply the manual method, using a wooden shovel, a wooden mallet, a copper screwdriver, and an aluminum wrench to avoid creating a magnetic field that would activate the bomb. Then, he used a copper hammer to counterclockwise remove the control warhead. This method disabled the bomb's trigger head, did not create a magnetic field, and made detonation easy and safe.
Immediately afterwards, the Engineering Command popularized this method throughout the army, helping to destroy thousands of MODEN2 magnetic bombs, contributing significantly to the victory of our army and people in the resistance war against the US. The life of People's Armed Forces Hero Tran Kim Xuan is like a living symbol of the intelligence and bravery of Uncle Ho's soldiers.
The loyalty of the communist soldier
Former Phu Quoc prisoner Nguyen Thai Hoc (brown shirt) talks about the years he was imprisoned and tortured by the enemy. Photo: Tra Huong
When mentioning veteran Nguyen Thai Hoc, Yen Duong commune (Tam Dao), one cannot help but admire the steely spirit and loyalty of the revolutionary soldier who was once exiled in Phu Quoc prison - a place once known as "hell on earth".
Mr. Hoc joined the resistance war against the US when he was 22 years old. In 1970, he was captured by the enemy and then imprisoned in Phu Quoc prison. There, he was subjected to brutal torture such as nailing his hands and feet, breaking his teeth, and being exposed to the sun in a barbed-wire “tiger cage” for months.
But the most horrible and haunting was the form of nailing through body parts, until the wound became necrotic and corroded his body, making him feel like he died and came back to life many times. Despite that, the love for his homeland and revolutionary ideals were the source of strength that helped Mr. Hoc remain loyal to his Fatherland.
In 1973, the Paris Agreement was signed, he was one of the first communist soldiers to be released. Welcoming him on the banks of the Thach Han River (Quang Tri), many comrades were heartbroken because the healthy young man who weighed more than 60kg in the past was now just skin and bones, weighing less than 24kg and his tortured legs had become atrophied, unable to stand...
The war has been over for 50 years now, but the painful historical marks are still imprinted on the body of communist soldier Nguyen Thai Hoc. That is the bullet fragment stuck in his head that aches every time the weather changes, the toothless smile because many teeth were broken by the enemy, the shriveled flesh due to the torture of crucifixion...
Teacher Nguyen Ngoc My, Principal of Yen Duong Secondary School, shared: “Every time veteran Nguyen Thai Hoc came to the school to talk about revolutionary traditions, teachers and students were moved by a historical witness telling us about a heroic period of the nation. The many wounds on Mr. Hoc’s body helped us feel the loyalty, bravery, and willingness to sacrifice for independence and freedom of Uncle Ho’s soldiers.”
Historical Linker
Veteran Nguyen Xuan Chen talks about revolutionary traditions with students of Tam Hong Secondary School. Photo: Tra Huong
Born and raised in a country engulfed in the flames of war, following the sacred call of the Fatherland, in 1967, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Chen, a son of Tam Hong town (Yen Lac) volunteered to go to the South, bravely fighting against the US as a Saigon commando. He and his comrades directly participated in many famous battles such as the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the Spring General Offensive in 1975.
After the liberation of the South, he worked at the Saigon City Military Management Committee. In 1979, the Northern border war broke out. Although he was studying at the Political Academy, he still put down his pen and went to protect the country's borders. After the war ended, he continued to study and work until 1990, when he retired and was active in local organizations.
As a historical witness, veteran Nguyen Xuan Chen regularly meets and talks with students from schools in the town about the history of the struggle of the nation and homeland, contributing to "passing on the fire" of revolution to the younger generation.
CCB Nguyen Xuan Chen shared: “Decades have passed, but I still remember clearly the years of resistance war, tasting honey and lying on thorns and a time of fire and war of the nation. I actively participate in historical talks at conferences and schools, because I want to recount my and my comrades' real experiences to help the younger generation understand a part of the painful but heroic historical period of the nation and appreciate the value of independence and freedom, thereby arousing pride and fostering love for the homeland and the desire to contribute of future generations…”.
Time can erase many things, but the memories of soldiers - historical witnesses - are forever engraved in the flow of the nation. Those memories are nostalgia, the reason for living, the fire that lights up the faith and aspirations of an entire generation. When the country is at peace and develops, the stories of revolutionary soldiers become valuable historical documents, always reminding us of the value of independence and the responsibility to preserve and build the country.
Minh Huong
Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/tin-tuc/Id/126574/Nhung-chung-nhan-lich-su
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