Memories on the legendary road

It has been more than 40 years since returning to civilian life. Most of the soldiers from the past are old and weak. Each has a job and a situation. Some have a comfortable life, some still struggle to make a living, but everyone retains unforgettable memories of those difficult, fierce, but very heroic years.

The keepers of the “bloodline”

Talking about this legendary road, we must first look back to the memories of the engineer soldiers whose mission was to open roads and bridges for vehicles to cross, in time to support the battlefields. Nearly 80 years old, Mr. Ngo Tri Bong from Dien Hoa commune (Dien Chau), currently residing in block 10 - Trung Do ward (Vinh city) still remembers clearly the memories of his military service, especially the days serving on the Truong Son roads. Mr. Bong said: "Over 20 years of military service, the nearly 5 years of duty in Truong Son have left unforgettable memories. Because those were the days full of enthusiasm, ready to face hardships and sacrifices".

Most of the time Mr. Bong was on duty in the Western Truong Son, that is, in Laos. The most memorable time was the time he worked at F Pha B, a position considered important, the enemy attacked day and night, all year round the engineer soldiers had to stay in the shelter. It was hard and fierce but no one was discouraged, all together determined to maintain this important "bloodline".

The enemy frequently attacked, to ensure safety, the unit had to implement diversionary tactics, that is, to set up fake ferry piers to fool enemy planes. Sometimes they used ropes to connect the two river banks, sometimes they cut trees to open a path down to the pier or they placed a broken car on the bank. Thanks to that, even though bombs shook the heavens and earth, the main ferry was still safe, ensuring the convoys could advance to the front.