Collection of battlefield memorabilia of a veteran from Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Having participated in the resistance war against the US, performed international duty in Cambodia and protected the northern border, Mr. Le Manh Hai owns a collection of battlefield memorabilia of real historical value.
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Veteran Le Manh Hai joined the army in 1972, was assigned to Division 320, and fought on the Kon Tum front; In the spring of 1975, he and his unit participated in the liberation of the Central Highlands, then advanced to Cu Chi to participate in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, liberating Saigon. After that, he continued to fight on the southwestern border and Cambodia, then supported the northern border battlefield. In 1982, Mr. Hai transferred to work at the Nghe An Department of Industry, and retired in 2007. Currently, he resides in Block 5, Le Loi Ward (Vinh City), and is the Head of the Traditional Liaison Committee of the Delta Brigade - Division 320 in the Nghe An - Ha Tinh region. Returning to normal life, he spends time collecting and gathering relics of the battlefield. The office has become a traditional room displaying hundreds of artifacts, and is also the meeting place of the Division 320 Command Committee in the Nghe An - Ha Tinh region. Photo: Cong Kien |
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| For Mr. Le Manh Hai, each souvenir is a treasure, associated with each battle he participated in, each battlefield he went to. Whenever visitors come to visit, wounded soldier Le Manh Hai often takes the time to meticulously introduce the origin and meaning of each artifact. Photo: Cong Kien |
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| The highlight of the collection of memorabilia is the military uniform, military equipment, and personal equipment of the soldiers (including a model gun, backpack, hat, belt, gun, canteen, gas can, etc.). Photo: Cong Kien |
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| The collection includes a canteen that was destroyed by bombs and bullets of a fallen soldier, collected by Mr. Le Manh Hai at the 1015 high point, also known as Sac Ly hill in Sa Thay district (Kon Tum). Photo: Cong Kien |
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| And here is the tail of a 120mm mortar shell - this souvenir was collected by the owner at peak 1049, also known as Den Ta hill in Sa Thay district (Kon Tum). Photo: Cong Kien |
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| Mr. Le Manh Hai's collection also includes a radio, which is a means of ensuring smooth communication between commanders and combat units; a radio used by officers and soldiers to grasp information about the war situation of the two regions and information from the rear; and also costumes, musical instruments, and production tools of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Photo: Cong Kien |
 In particular, the collection of battlefield memorabilia also includes the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. Photo: Cong Kien |
 “Whenever I feel pressured by work or miss my comrades, I look at the souvenirs to return to the glorious and heroic years of my youth. There, there were hardships, dangers and the glory of victory, and deep comradeship…” – Mr. Hai confided. Photo: Cong Kien |