Wounded soldiers at the Citadel wholeheartedly devoted themselves to their comrades.

Joining the Party in the midst of the battlefield.

In his recollections of the Quang Tri battlefield, Mr. Nguyen Huu At recounted that when the resistance war against the US entered its most intense phase, in May 1972, he enlisted and underwent basic training in Nghia Loc (Nghia Dan). A month later, he received orders to go into battle. On the march to Quang Tri, he was promoted to squad leader.

Nine months of fighting alongside his comrades on the Hai Lang front were unforgettable years of his military life. From a reconnaissance soldier, he was transferred to the main assault unit of Company 10, Battalion 9, Regiment 209, Division 312 and was promoted to Deputy Platoon Leader.

According to Mr. Ất, the fighting in Quảng Trị in 1972 and early 1973 was extremely fierce. The enemy shelled, attacked, and bombarded our positions day and night. He and his comrades sometimes had to fight in trenches filled with rainwater and blood, facing bullets and bombs, with life and death hanging in the balance, but their fighting spirit remained unwavering.

Holding the commemorative plaque, a memento engraved by a comrade from Hai Phong before his death, Mr. At said, "That day on the Quang Tri front, I, like my comrades in the unit, fought selflessly. No one thought about death, no one set a date for return, we only knew to fight to win."

Half a century has passed, but the landmarks in Hai Lang such as Tich Tuong, Nhu Le, Coi Hill, Hill 52... from the 81-day and 81-night campaign to defend the ancient citadel of Quang Tri are still deeply etched in the mind of the veteran. He was wounded in the head, arms, and legs, and the scars remain on his body.

Having fought bravely and achieved many outstanding accomplishments, he was honored to be admitted to the Party by his unit on the battlefield. The Party admission ceremony took place in the company's command bunker on the banks of the Thach Han River. Mr. At recalled: "I was quite surprised; only when I stood in the command bunker with the national flag flying did I realize I had been admitted to the Party."

One touching memory he will never forget is that year, back in his hometown, the local authorities held a Congress of Emulation for Victory, and his parents were invited by the commune to receive the Medal of Military Merit. Everyone thought he had been killed in action.

After the Paris Agreement was signed, he was allowed to visit his hometown (March 1973). When he arrived home with his backpack, none of his relatives recognized him. When his mother realized he was alive and well, standing before her son, she fainted.

Deeply saddened by the loss of his comrades.

Later, he was sent to study at the Army School 1 (Son Tay), then worked at the Army School 2 (Dong Nai), Army School 3 (Nha Trang), Military Region 4, Yen Thanh District Military Command, Anh Son District Military Command… Regardless of his position, he always performed his assigned duties well. He retired in 2009 with the rank of Colonel.

Living in his hometown, former soldier, colonel, and war invalid (4/4) Nguyen Huu At still maintains a simple, warm, and affectionate lifestyle with his relatives, neighbors, and comrades. He and his wife have three children, two of whom are sons serving in the armed forces.

We visited his home in Thuan Hoa hamlet, Thanh Hoa commune, one July morning. In his lush, park-like garden at the end of the village, filled with various fruit trees, the 70-year-old veteran was diligently tending to his plants. It is known that since his retirement, he has remained actively involved in labor, production, and livestock farming like a true veteran. According to him, labor both improves his health and produces clean produce for his family…

Not only did he "put aside his right hand and use his left hand" in his work at home, but he was also an exemplary and active association official in his locality. He was trusted by his comrades and elected Chairman of the Thanh Chuong District Ancient Citadel Veterans Association from its inception, and a Standing Committee Member of the Nghe An Province Ancient Citadel Veterans Association.

Mr. Ất shared: "Returning from the fierce battlefield, it is fortunate that I am still alive today. Therefore, I need to live in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of my comrades and the heroic martyrs."

Over the years, he has collaborated with the Veterans' Association of Thanh Chuong District to organize many meaningful activities, such as helping each other develop economically; organizing annual reunions; arranging visits for comrades to former battlefields; visiting comrades when they are sick; giving gifts to families in difficult circumstances and those receiving government assistance during holidays; providing information about fallen soldiers; and participating in and coordinating with families of fallen soldiers and relevant authorities to bring the remains of fallen soldiers back to their hometowns.

In particular, the association has mobilized businessmen and philanthropists to build five charitable houses for comrades in difficult circumstances in the district, with a budget of 250 million VND.

Mr. At shared that the Association of Ancient Citadel Soldiers faces many difficulties in its activities, such as the elderly age of its members, lack of funds, and the need for core members to be dynamic, creative, and actively mobilize organizations and individuals to provide assistance.

Currently, his main concern is the desire to build more houses for needy families, contributing to improving the lives of veterans who fought at the Citadel.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Can, Chairman of the Association of Veterans of the Ancient Citadel in Nghe An province, said: Colonel Nguyen Huu At, a wounded veteran, has always upheld the qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army, possessing unwavering political resolve, simple morals and demeanor. He is an active, exemplary, and outstanding association official, trusted by his comrades and admired by the people. In recent years, the Association of Veterans of the Ancient Citadel in Thanh Chuong district has consistently ranked among the top in the province.

Huy Thu