Martyr Vi Xuyen: About to die but still encouraged his comrades

(Baonghean.vn)- Enlisting in the army at just over 16 years old, young man Nguyen Cong Long fought bravely and sacrificed himself at the age of 20 in a battle in Vi Xuyen with the words to encourage his comrades: "You guys just keep fighting and pushing back the enemy, I'm fine."

In the extreme heat of summer, we visited the family of martyr Nguyen Cong Long (Hamlet 6 - Long Son - Anh Son). We had to go around many small alleys to get to the house of Mr. Nguyen Cong Toan - martyr Nguyen Cong Long's father. The small, deserted house was even quieter now that the old lady had passed away a few months ago. Mr. Toan himself was also suffering from a serious illness when his legs were so swollen that he could not walk. He said that he had an infection and had to amputate both legs, but he was 86 years old and loved his children and grandchildren so he left it like that...

The mental and physical pain made him much weaker. However, when we asked him about martyr Nguyen Cong Long, he told the story clearly and distinctly. It seemed that the pride and longing for his son who had sacrificed his life at the Vi Xuyen front suddenly surged in the soul of the old veteran who had experienced many battles.

Portrait of martyr Nguyen Cong Long.

He said that his family had a military tradition, with four members of his family joining the army, including him and his son Nguyen Cong Long, who directly took up arms to fight against the invaders. In 1983, Nguyen Cong Long was just over 16 years old and had just taken the 10th grade entrance exam. Although he was mischievous, Long was very intelligent and knew how to love and help his parents. He thought he was still young and had not yet had enough to eat or worry about, but who would have thought that about ten days before entering 10th grade, Nguyen Cong Long would bring home to his father a paper saying he had passed the army recruitment exam.

Hearing the news, he was surprised… He also did not believe that his son could declare himself 18 years old to join the army. He could only hold back his tears and encourage his son to try hard to train and fight well. Nguyen Cong Long was added to the 31st Division operating in the fierce Vi Xuyen front. He was appointed as A-Chief and prepared documents to be admitted into the Party's ranks because of his many achievements in combat.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Toan is old and weak, and still lies in a wheelchair every day.

At around 6:00 p.m. on a day in early January 1986, the unit ate dinner to prepare for the upcoming fierce battle. Nguyen Cong Long urged his comrades to eat quickly so they could go to the troop transfer point. At 6:30 p.m., on the way to the troop transfer point, his unit was bombarded by enemy fire. He told everyone to stay calm and fight to hold the point. But an enemy artillery shell fell right where he was standing and threw him off the cliff.

When the gunfire stopped, his comrades went down to take him to the rear line for emergency treatment while he was still unconscious. When he regained consciousness halfway, he leaned forward and said loudly: "You guys keep fighting and pushing back the enemy, I'm fine."

Upon arriving at the hospital, Nguyen Cong Long died from broken ribs and internal injuries. However, his words encouraged many comrades fighting at Vi Xuyen peak to protect the land of the Fatherland...

Dao Tho