The veteran met Uncle Ho three times.

Mr. Hong cherishes the photograph he took with President Ho Chi Minh.

(NAO) Mr. Hong stopped telling his story and sat silently, his eyes shining, his hair and beard white; I saw a halo around him – images of Uncle Ho and sacred memories of him!

"Every time I recall the times I met Uncle Ho, my heart brightens!" That's the heartfelt sentiment of veteran Nguyen Van Hong whenever he has the opportunity to reminisce about his encounters with the beloved Uncle Ho during his time in the military.

Mr. Hong is eighty-five years old this year. When we visited his home in Tan Chau village, Dien Nguyen commune, Dien Chau district (Nghe An province), we were amazed and moved by the simple and unpretentious appearance of his small house. Inside, the house is filled with memories of his achievements and victories during his 25 years in the military. In the most prominent places, he displays various medals, badges, certificates of merit, and awards. He still keeps the Ho Chi Minh badge and the certificate from 1950.

This is a photo of Mr. Hong with President Ho Chi Minh at the National Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters in 1966.

The most precious memento of his life is the photograph of him with President Ho Chi Minh. Trembling as he held the photo in his hands, Mr. Hong emotionally recounted to us:

The first time he met President Ho Chi Minh was in 1951, during preparations for the Second National Party Congress. At that time, Mr. Hong was a communications soldier in the 231st Transmission Unit of the Communications Department; on that occasion, he only saw President Ho Chi Minh through a conversation with officers and soldiers of the communications command, but he still felt extremely happy.

Holding the Ho Chi Minh badge, a memento he had cherished for nearly 60 years, Mr. Hong's eyes welled up as he continued his story: “The second time I met President Ho Chi Minh and stood very close to him was in February 1966. At that time, I was a lieutenant, a member of the Regimental Party Committee's executive board, and the Party branch secretary. The Party branch I was in charge of was a leading example of a 'four-good' Party organization. This time, I was elected to attend the conference summarizing the experience of three years of building 'four-good' Party branches and Party committees in Ba Dinh, Hanoi. I will always remember President Ho Chi Minh's advice at the conference: 'To have a strong Party, there must be strong Party branches and Party committees; to have strong Party branches and Party committees, there must be good Party members.' Everyone promised President Ho Chi Minh that they would follow his advice.” Mr. Hong gazed at the photo and pointed, showing it off to us: “I was standing just two rows of soldiers away from President Ho Chi Minh, and everyone was so moved to tears to have their picture taken with him!”

This was the third time I had met Uncle Ho, and I felt truly happy – it was in December 1966 at the 4th National Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters. At that time, I was an emulation fighter representing Company 2, Regiment 134 - Information Command; Company 2 was the first collective unit to be awarded the title of Hero of the Armed Forces. When we heard that Uncle Ho was coming to visit, everyone felt a surge of excitement.

Mr. Hong recalled with tears in his eyes: “It was a surprise and a great joy to meet Uncle Ho as he came out of the meeting hall. I was flustered and stood at attention to greet him; seeing the communications insignia on my lapel, Uncle Ho smiled and instructed me: ‘Information must flow smoothly; without information, there can be command, and without command, there can be victory.’ I was overwhelmed with emotion and nervousness, but I managed to stand at attention and greet him, promising: ‘We promise you, Uncle Ho: we will consider the communication lines as battlefields, the switchboard as a fighting fortress, and we would rather sacrifice ourselves than let the communication be interrupted.’ Uncle Ho praised: ‘Very good!’... Mr. Hong’s voice faltered with emotion. He paused for a moment before continuing: ‘Uncle Ho’s instructions became a slogan, a declaration of determination for all officers and soldiers throughout the fighting and service of the communications troops; and my Company 2 always followed Uncle Ho’s teachings, always upholding the title of hero.’”

Mr. Hong is looking back at the mementos. of the military

Mr. Hong stopped speaking and sat silently, his eyes shining, his hair and beard white; I felt as if a halo still surrounded him—images of President Ho Chi Minh and sacred memories of him!

Speaking of veteran Nguyen Van Hong, Mr. Cao Xuan Mai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Dien Nguyen commune, couldn't stop praising him: "Although he has returned to civilian life, the qualities of a soldier, of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army, still shine brightly in his thoughts and actions; he remains a role model for local officials and people to learn from and emulate. At eighty-five years old, Mr. Hong is still a source of spiritual support and unity for his family and the people of Dien Nguyen."

Photo credit: Tran Canh YenDien Thinh-Dien Chau