Memories of a "square star" soldier

(Baonghean) - Recalling the glorious days of the Nghi Huong militia during the anti-American war, many elderly people cannot forget digging shelters to protect against artillery fire, building artillery emplacements, and patrolling to prevent frogmen and commandos from infiltrating.

Recalling the heroic deeds of the Nghi Huong militia (Cua Lo town) during the anti-American war, Ms. Tran Thi Thuu could not hide her pride. In 1972, at the age of 20, she was appointed by the commune as the political commissar of the commune militia, along with the commune militia commander Nguyen Van Luc, directly commanding the commune's combat militia platoon. On October 1, 1972, the combat militia platoon bravely repelled a group of jet aircraft bombing a military target in the area. After several rounds of fire from the 12.7mm machine gun and rifle, Ms. Thuu and her comrades erupted in joy when they saw flames rising from the fuselage of the "Thunderbolt" aircraft, causing it to crash into the sea. Later, the higher-level military authorities confirmed that the RF-5C aircraft that crashed that day was shot down by the Nghi Huong combat militia platoon. After that battle, Ms. Thuu and her comrade Che Dinh Nien, a commune militia officer, were selected to attend and present a model report at the "Two Excellences" Congress of the province and the Military Region.

Militia members of Nghi Huong ward (Cua Lo town) are training.

Recalling the glorious days of the Nghi Huong militia during the anti-American war, Mrs. Thuu and many elderly people in Nghi Huong cannot forget the nights they worked together to dig shelters for the people of the coastal villages of Vinh Tien, My Thang, and Hong Phong to protect against enemy artillery fire, or going to Nha Ruoi beach to build artillery emplacements with the soldiers, and patrols to prevent infiltration by frogmen and commandos. Then there's the story of the 25-man suicide squad of the commune's militia, led by Comrade Hoang Khac Bien, whose mission was to take fishing boats to Ngu Island to clear bombs and mines, and to approach friendly ships to transport weapons. Before each trip to the island, the Party committee and the government would organize a "living funeral" for the members. Many of Nghi Huong's suicide squad members even had the ingenious idea of ​​bringing winches to the ships to pull goods ashore. On average, each person transported 40 bags of goods a day. Comrades Hoang Khac Song, Tran Tho Tuu, and Hoang Van Vinh bravely sacrificed their lives while on duty in their homeland...

Ms. Thựu said that times change. Today, there are no longer the fierce bombings of the war, but the militia soldiers of Nghi Huong always continue the traditions of their ancestors. Currently, the Nghi Huong commune militia force has 2 mobile platoots and 4 specialized squads. Through training, workshops, and seminars organized annually by the ward or town militia, nearly 100% of the soldiers meet the requirements, with 70% achieving good or excellent results. To date, the ward has completed the training for first-year militia members, second to fourth-year mobile militia members, local militia members, and specialized soldiers.

Mr. Hoang Van Hoa, Commander of the Nghi Huong Ward Military Command, said: "In implementing the training content, the ward is focusing on effectively carrying out basic, practical, and solid training to build a strong militia force, contributing to the successful implementation of political, military, and socio-economic development tasks in the locality."

According to Tran Dinh Luong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Nghi Huong Ward: Recognizing that local military and national defense work is one of the important tasks in consolidating the national defense system and contributing to socio-economic development in the area, over the years, the Party Committee and government of Nghi Huong have focused on directing and effectively implementing local military and national defense work, while simultaneously focusing on promoting socio-economic development and improving people's lives. The title of "Hero of the Armed Forces" that Nghi Huong has received twice (in 1973 and 2014) is a tremendous source of motivation for the soldiers in the area to overcome difficulties and fulfill their duties in the future.

Viet Long