A meeting with General Vo Nguyen Giap

(Baonghean.vn) - General Vo Nguyen Giap has been gone for 3 years, but the grief of his compatriots is still intact, especially for the soldiers returning from the battlefield. Mr. Tang Dinh Thich is one of the veterans who deeply respected the "Elder Brother" of the Vietnam People's Army.

Every time he recalls the memory of meeting General Vo Nguyen Giap, veteran Tang Dinh Thich in hamlet 2, Dien Dong commune (Dien Chau) feels sad because the "Elder Brother" has gone far away. Mr. Thich is currently the Chairman of the Association of Revolutionary Soldiers captured by the enemy and imprisoned in Dien Chau district...

Veteran Tang Dinh Thich with medals awarded by the state.

During the war against America to save the country, he participated in fighting on the southern battlefield. In a battle, he was seriously wounded and fell into enemy hands. He was then exiled to Phu Quoc prison and subjected to all kinds of torture, but that soldier still maintained his communist integrity.

He confided: “Before and during each battle, we encouraged each other that General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Party and State leaders were watching, so everyone was determined to win. When I was tortured and imprisoned, I thought I had to live to return, hoping to meet the General one day.”

Veteran Tang Dinh Thich (5th from right) and comrades representing political prisoners from the provinces during the anti-American period wished General Vo Nguyen Giap a long life in early 2002 (Photo provided by the character).

It took several decades for that wish to come true. In early Spring 2002, Mr. Tang Dinh Thich was honored to be present with 22 comrades representing political prisoners from the provinces during the anti-American period in Hanoi to wish General Vo Nguyen Giap a happy 90th birthday.

At that time, although he was old, the General was still lucid. During the conversation, the "Elder Brother" confided and advised: "I truly admire you comrades. Even though you were brutally tortured by the enemy, you still did not reveal a word. Now, returning to normal life, you comrades must be exemplary, live faithfully and affectionately with everyone, share and help comrades who are in difficulty and misfortune..."

Those words were engraved in mind by veteran Tang Dinh Thich and used as a motto in life.

General Vo Nguyen Giap on a visit to President Ho Chi Minh's hometown (Photo: Archive).

On October 4, 2013, like many Vietnamese people, upon hearing the news of General Vo Nguyen Giap's passing, Mr. Tang Dinh Thich cried, tears of regret and respect falling every time he remembered the merits and virtues of the talented general. Every year, he arranges time to go to Quang Binh to visit the General's grave, expressing his respect and infinite gratitude.

Mr. Tang Dinh Thich reserved prominent places in his house to hang pictures of Uncle Ho and General Vo Nguyen Giap. In particular, the picture taken during his visit to the capital to see the General is cherished, respected and considered a treasure. These days, he reserves a corner of his heart to remember his "Elder Brother" who has passed away...

Cong Kien