100th Birthday of General Le Duc Anh: A Great Military and Politician

President Le Duc Anh gets into the cockpit of a Su-27 fighter jet during a visit to Air Force Regiment 937, Vietnam Air Force, May 1, 1996. Photo: Cao Phong/VNA

Homeland forges a loyal revolutionary soldier

General Le Duc Anh (alias Nguyen Phu Hoa, also known as Chin Hoa, Sau Nam), was born on December 1, 1920 in Truong Ha village, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien-Hue province; his hometown is Loc An commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien-Hue province. His childhood was spent in Truoi, where the Truoi River originates from the western mountains of Phu Loc district and flows into Tam Giang lagoon.

Born and raised in a poor countryside, not as fortunate as his classmates, he was blind in one eye and had a weak leg due to smallpox since childhood. The months of fasting and walking barefoot across hot sand to school further honed his patience and perseverance.

Moreover, the General's patriotism and revolutionary fighting spirit were nurtured by the scene of the country being lost and his home being destroyed; witnessing the honest people in the countryside suffering and poverty under the colonial and feudal regimes. At the age of 16, the opportunity to meet progressive patriots helped the young Le Duc Anh to be enlightened about revolutionary ideals.

Not long after, he officially joined the local revolutionary activities. Starting by reading books, newspapers, and propagandizing to the people, General Le Duc Anh gradually joined the struggles to reduce the harsh taxes of the colonialists and feudalists and to demand freedom and democracy in the countryside. At the age of 18, the young man from Hue was honored to be admitted and become a member of the Indochinese Communist Party (now the Communist Party of Vietnam).

The first years of revolutionary activities in his homeland with many difficulties tempered comrade Le Duc Anh to become a steadfast communist soldier, fighting and sacrificing all his life for the revolutionary ideals of the Party and for the happiness of the people.

Former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu once wrote in the golden souvenir book at the General Le Duc Anh Cultural House: General Le Duc Anh, a military-political officer... made many outstanding contributions to the revolution and to the nation. His great contributions, the army, the people and our Party will forever cherish, learn and promote.

Throughout his life of active revolutionary activities and many challenges, General Le Duc Anh always excellently fulfilled his responsibilities before the Party, State, Fatherland and People; contributed greatly to the cause of national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland, as former General Secretary Do Muoi once affirmed, "he is one of the great politicians and military strategists of our Party and State".

A simple Hue native with a deep love for his homeland

Leaving his hometown of Thua Thien-Hue to participate in revolutionary activities since his youth, the love for his birthplace still aches and is deep in the heart of General Le Duc Anh.

In contrast to his strict appearance in combat or work, General Le Duc Anh was a simple, approachable person, full of love whenever he lived near the people. When returning to his hometown, he often visited his neighbors, kindly asked about their lives, the situation of labor and production, and encouraged them to compete in patriotism. To the people here, General Le Duc Anh was not only an outstanding son of Loc An but also a simple, approachable person.

Mr. Le Van Lan (head of the Le family, grandson of General Le Duc Anh) talks about memories of General Le Duc Anh. Photo: Mai Trang/VNA

The Truoi River flowing through Ban Mon village in the past was the place that imprinted many childhood memories of comrade Le Duc Anh. It was also here that, on a winter night in 1939, he crossed the river, left the village and embarked on revolutionary life. Therefore, on the days he returned to the village, General Le Duc Anh often stopped at the Truoi River wharf to fish and had dinner with the villagers to recall old memories.

Before leaving, the General always took time to have a meal with his relatives and family in his hometown. Braised goby fish in a clay pot, water spinach soup, Truoi tea... were simple dishes that the General often enjoyed.

In memory of the General, Mr. Le Trung Thanh (a nephew of General Le Duc Anh) volunteered to take care of the General Le Duc Anh Cultural House (Ban Mon village). Mr. Thanh revealed: When Thua Thien-Hue province intended to build this Cultural House, the General repeatedly disagreed because he was afraid of affecting the people's productive land. Much later, the General wanted a place for people to read books, newspapers, and improve their knowledge, so he agreed to build it with the smallest possible area.

Comrade Le Duc Anh lives forever in the hearts of the people of Hue.

These days, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of General Le Duc Anh's birth, many officials, students and people from all over the country have visited General Le Duc Anh Cultural House.

Main works of the Cultural HouseGeneral Le Duc Anhis a library built in the style of Hue traditional houses, with 3 rooms equipped with many bookshelves with thousands of books. During his lifetime, General Le Duc Anh wished that the authorities and people of Thua Thien-Hue would collect valuable books, newspapers, and documents to add to the cultural house to nurture the spirit and improve all aspects of knowledge for the people when they come here.

In addition, the cultural house will contribute to strengthening and enhancing the will of independence, sovereignty as well as the level of science and technology; disseminating new social advances to people in the region.

Regularly going to the Cultural House to read books and learn about the General's revolutionary path, Nguyen Duc Bao Nguyen (class 12A1, student of An Luong Dong High School, Loc An commune) said: "I am very proud to be a child born in the homeland of former President Le Duc Anh and tell myself that I need to strive harder to become a good child, good student, and the pride of Loc An commune."

Vice Chairman of Phu Loc District People's Committee Tran Van Minh Quan said: Phu Loc District people are very honored to be the hometown of comrade Le Duc Anh - a loyal communist who devoted his whole life to the country. The district determined that the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the General's birthday is a widespread political activity in the area, thereby educating the spirit of patriotism and national pride for the people, especially the younger generations to follow in building the homeland more and more prosperous.

Every time he returned to his hometown, General Le Duc Anh often visited the headquarters of the People's Committee of Loc An commune and advised the cadres to strive in their work, take the lead in movements, stay close to the people, listen to their thoughts and aspirations to help them overcome difficulties and rise up. The people must try to apply and apply science and technology to production to gradually improve and enhance the quality of life. The young generation needs to be cared for in their education so that they can live a useful life in society in the future.

“Remembering those words, the government and people of Loc An commune have strived to develop continuously. From a poor commune, Loc An has now been recognized as meeting new rural standards; it is a major trading center of Loc An, Loc Son, Loc Hoa and Loc Dien communes,” said Chairman of Loc An Commune People’s Committee Truong Thanh Tin.

Loc An commune today has many innovations, clean inter-village roads have been concreted with colorful flower beds and ornamental plants. Every year, the commune is happy to have an average of 50-60 children in the commune pass the entrance exams to universities and colleges. The local economy develops in the direction of trade, services, agriculture - forestry - fishery; helping to increase the average income of the people, improving life.

With 99 years of age and more than 80 years of Party membership, Comrade Le Duc Anh has devoted his whole life to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the people. He was awarded many noble awards by the Party and the State such as: Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, First Class Military Exploit Order, First Class Feat Order, First Class Victory Order, 80-year Party membership badge and many other noble Vietnamese and international medals and awards.

After such glorious contributions, former President, General Le Duc Anh passed away on April 22, 2019 in Hanoi. His passing left behind endless sorrow for his family, comrades and the entire Vietnamese people. The image of a talented, virtuous and simple leader will always live in the hearts of the people of Hue and the people of the whole country./.

Mai Trang