Talk to me

(Baonghean) - During the turbulent days of the East Sea, dad packed his bags and found his way to visit his children on Vietnamese Family Day (June 28). That noon, during a warm and loving meal, dad, on behalf of the families with children on the KN781 ship, raised his glass to wish them good health so that they would be ready to set sail to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.

For nearly 40 years in the army, Dad's shoe heels were worn out many times, his feet had walked the length of the country... I remember the day you were born, Dad was joining the rapid flow of troops advancing to Saigon to win total victory. I thought that after two wars, the country would live in peace forever. Unexpectedly, the northern border was unstable. Dad and his comrades marched to the northern border. Due to personal circumstances, when I was 3 years old, I followed Dad to the regiment. During the days when the unit was training, my uncles often let me follow the artillery tractor to play in the battlefield, picking wild blackberries. In the first days of preparing to go to Lang Son, I was just 5 years old. The border war broke out. Dad left me in Xuan Bang village and then my uncle took me to the Thai Nguyen Steel Zone to live with him.

On the morning of February 17, 1979, the sound of gunfire echoed across the entire border. 35 years later, my father still remembers that historic day clearly. At 4:00 a.m., from Pha Chai observation post, Battalion Commander Vo Thai Mai set up binoculars to observe the Dong Dang border gate. The enemy troops had rushed across the border, the sound of drums, trumpets, and cymbals was deafening. From the observation post, he reported to the regiment asking for orders to open fire. The regiment reported to the military region. In the emergency situation, Battalion Commander Vo Thai Mai decided that the entire 23rd Battalion should open fire. 400 130mm artillery shells continuously tore apart the enemy's formation. The first victory of the 166th PB Regiment made the people and soldiers of the whole country proud. When the army newspaper reporter interviewed the Battalion Commander, he asked why he dared to open fire without orders from his superiors. Battalion Commander Vo Thai Mai said: “The highest order of a soldier is when the Fatherland is invaded, “when the enemy comes to your house, even women must fight”. While I was in command of an artillery battalion, sitting still and watching the enemy troops cross the border was a crime against the Fatherland.”

Many of my comrades fell to defend the border, the blood of our compatriots and soldiers dyed red the landmark 0. The blood of the enemy also mixed with the water of the Ky Cung River flowing westward to the other side of the border. My father could not forget the sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tien Quan when he received the mission from Pa Chai station to the command post. At the memorial service that afternoon, my father saw tears rolling down the cheeks of Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen in the moment of farewell to his most beloved son. Those tears flashed thousands of sparks in the sunlight. The General's entire life was associated with the legendary Truong Son and his own son had dedicated his life to preserving every inch of land and forest of the Fatherland.

After those days, my father's footsteps and those of his comrades left their footprints all over Mau Son, Loc Binh, Dong Dang, Khanh Khe, Na Sam, That Khe, all the way to Dang Van, Tri Phuong, Quoc Khanh checkpoints... Time passed, the bamboo shoots became bamboo, I became a fisheries surveillance soldier. From a marine soldier, I was assigned to command KNTS 08, KNHQ 956, which had been through many years of hardships and hardships. Many times, I told my father, over the years, we have endured so many hidden waves caused by China that the marine soldiers had to accept sacrifices.

Do you remember the days when the northern border was temporarily peaceful, your father was transferred to Zone IV. For 4 years, your father and his fellow engineers went out to build the defense line of the heroic Eye Island. During those years, the economy was still difficult, so on summer vacations, your father let you go to the island to play at the beach and find dry firewood for the boat to bring back to the mainland for your mother to cook pig feed. In the afternoons on the island, your father took you to see the artillery positions that China helped us build during the resistance war against the US. At that time, your father told you why the 3 positions they helped us shoot in the main direction were the areas of Cua Lo, Vinh, Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan. The right direction could only shoot to Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Quynh Luu. The left direction was Nghi Xuan, Duc Tho. But the directions to the East Sea could not be shot? Therefore, your father's unit spent decades building positions at the 200 high point and 3 cannons to make heroic Eye Island worthy of being the eye of the East Sea guarding the sacred land of Nghe - Tinh.

Taking the position of captain of KN781 means that the Fatherland has called your name. Tomorrow, your ship will set sail to protect the familiar waters of our homeland, Truong Sa - Hoang Sa. There, our oil rigs are shining. There, the simple and honest fishermen are collecting crabs and fish to make a living. There, the fragile wooden boats that have been faithful for thousands of years are waiting for your protection.

Although life is still full of difficulties, Diep Linh is only 3 years old, his wife and children have not found jobs yet. His salary has to be divided between three people. His parents are old and have left most of their health behind on the battlefields and roads, constantly sick but still give all their love to their children. By his side, there are his comrades and the hearts of the people of the whole country.

Be worthy of the love of your homeland and country!

Be worthy of being the son of a soldier in the homeland of great Uncle Ho, my child.

Ta Quang Du