Spring day reading again the war diary

(Baonghean) - There was a soldier who had been through two wars, the greatest asset of his military life was 6 volumes of war diaries, in which there were pages recording his emotions during Tet. Every time Tet comes, he flips through those old lines with a feeling of nostalgia and excitement...

In the old house, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh in hamlet 9, Phuc Son commune (Anh Son) is living with "memories" with a war diary. He shared: "During 12 years of military service, going through fierce battles, facing death many times, but I was still determined to keep the diaries, that is the most valuable asset when I return home".

The war diary is carefully kept by Mr. Dang Duy Huynh in an iron box. In his spare time or every time Tet or Spring comes, he flips through each page to find memories. Photo: Cong Kien

Going back in time, nearly 47 years ago, Dang Duy Huynh (born in 1946) was a third-year student at Hanoi Medical University. At a time when the war against the US was extremely fierce, the battlefield needed medical support and doctors to care for and treat wounded soldiers, Mr. Huynh and 99 classmates were mobilized to go.

In addition to uniforms, weapons, medicine and other necessities, the luggage brought to the battlefield also included notebooks of cellophane paper and a few ballpoint pens. Young soldiers leaving the lecture hall were often very romantic, they often had the habit of writing down stories that happened every day and expressing their thoughts and feelings of those who were involved. Then, when the war was over, there were many valuable diaries, helping the next generation understand more clearly about the soldiers during the war against the Americans.

Along with the diary, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh also kept many souvenirs from his soldier life such as ammunition boxes, medicine boxes, canteens, daggers and military mobilization orders. Photo: Cong Kien

Luckier than his fallen comrades, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh was only injured, was able to return home to reunite with his family and brought with him 6 volumes of diaries, which recorded the war, work, life and thoughts during the 5-year period (1971-1975). There were many pages recording fierce war scenes, such as: "At 4:30, B52s hit the convoy's parking lot but the car was only crushed by a tree. While taking a nap, suddenly jumped out of the hammock, walked to the tunnel door and the first series of bombs had all exploded. At 5:00 p.m., the whole convoy crossed the Saigon River...".

For soldiers, the greatest desire is to celebrate a Tet holiday with family and friends: “January 28, 1973: The day of the armistice has come, after many years of struggle full of hardship, sacrifice, hardship and fierceness. From 7am today, the ceasefire began according to the Agreement. Some surrounding areas still have loud artillery sounds, in the past few days B52s have attacked but less. All the hopes and expectations of the nation have come today. The ceasefire atmosphere seems really pleasant. The family is probably preparing to celebrate a Tet holiday without gunfire that has not been possible for many years...”.

6 volumes of war diaries were numbered by Mr. Dang Duy Huynh. Photo: Cong Kien

And this is Dang Duy Huynh's confession on the first day of the Lunar New Year (1973): "Welcoming a Lunar New Year in the middle of the South where the sound of bombs had just stopped falling. Guests were bustling all day long. Spring has come again, and with each passing Spring, life lacks something intimate, especially family affection. As the Spring seasons pass, our love is separated, with each Spring season, I get another wrinkle and as for you, my youth gradually passes..."

Welcoming the Year of the Cat (1975) in the middle of the battlefield, on New Year's Eve, he confided his feelings: "30th of Tet (February 10, 1975). 9 pm... Time keeps passing, the 5th Tet in the battlefield. Spring has come, why is my soul not excited? Is it because I celebrate Spring far from my unit? Maybe so!... At this time, my parents must be gathering around the fire, probably missing me a lot. New Year's Eve is coming. If this Tet is missing me, my parents will have more worries and sadness, and the house will be empty...".

The author named the diary volumes "Going on Campaign". Photo: Cong Kien

And this is Mr. Huynh's mood in the sacred New Year's Eve: "Spring of the Year of the Cat, New Year's Eve, 0:00... New Year's Eve comes to all parts of the Fatherland/ Spring has come, oh, life is overflowing/ Spring of the Year of the Cat takes us to the battlefield/ This battle will bring victory to us". Military medic Dang Duy Huynh was lucky to be present on the day of the Great Victory of Spring 1975, to witness the moment of victory and the burst of happiness.

Mr. Dang Duy Huynh's diary recorded his emotions during the Tet At Mao (1975). Photo: Cong Kien

That moment was recorded by him: “April 30, at 5:30 p.m. What excitement and joy. At 5:00 p.m., the radio announced that Saigon had been completely liberated. I still thought it would take several weeks to capture Saigon quickly. The atmosphere today was completely different, everyone, both staff and wounded soldiers, were excited, the atmosphere of victory was bustling. Unfortunately, there was no camera to record everyone's mood at this moment and the atmosphere today. What joy and excitement...”.

By keeping that diary, the military medic Dang Duy Huynh wanted to engrave in his mind the vibrant, heroic years of his youth. Whenever his children and grandchildren gathered and his comrades visited, he would flip through the diary, where each page was a story...

Cong Kien