Society

The wish of a soldier who once met the General

Diep Thanh • July 26, 2024 09:34

In the small house of veteran Cao Duc Dong (born 1944) in block 2, Dien Chau town, commemorative photos of the wartime are carefully framed in glass, neatly hung on the wall. Among the many pieces of war memories, there are pieces of memories that make the old soldier proud when recalling...

In the small house of veteran Cao Duc Dong (born in 1944) in block 2 of Dien Chau town, commemorative photos of the wartime are carefully framed in glass and hung neatly on the wall. Among the many war memories, there are some that make the old soldier proud when recalling them...

The time of fire and flowers

“I joined the army in 1963, in Military Region 4. In 1964, I participated in the anti-destructive war of the US imperialists. After the destructive war, I studied at the Military Political Academy in Phu Tho. Then I returned to Tay Ninh to take up my duties. In 1972, I transferred from the cultural sector to propaganda. In 1975, I commanded a regiment to participate in the liberation of Saigon, taking over Bien Hoa. Then I participated in the border war with Cambodia and China. However, when I was transferred to Vi Xuyen (Ha Giang), the war had already reached its waning stage. After the liberation, I studied advanced political science at the Hanoi Political Academy,” Mr. Cao Duc Dong summarized.soldier's lifeof our own according to the historical milestones of the nation.

In each historical period, there are memorable memories that always make him emotional when recalling. That was the time he and four other outstanding soldiers of Military Region 4 were able to meet and talk with General Vo Nguyen Giap at the Youth Congress for Victory in June 1966. That was the moment when he and his comrades burst into tears when they were taking over Bien Hoa and received the news that our army had taken over Saigon on April 30, 1975. Those were the times when they narrowly escaped death from the massive, aggressive attacks of the Khmer Rouge army in the border battlefield in 1979...

Mr. Dong recalled: “At that time, I was the unit leader, along with the guard comrade, surrounded very closely by 17 Khmer Rouge soldiers. Thinking that I could not survive, I discussed with the guard comrade and then called the division, telling everyone to fire artillery at our position. By doing so, our sacrifice could have killed at least 17 enemies. However, the division did not agree, determined to save people and fired 55 artillery shells at the position right next to us - our army's professional skills were really excellent. After killing all the enemies, the company sent people to rescue us and we were only slightly injured…” It had been a long time since anyone asked about the past, the fragments of memories pieced together through the old soldier's story still filled with emotion.

Over the years, he has wrapped up his emotions into a series of commemorative poems. He proudly wrote to his father:“I blend into the whirlpool/ Destroy the Xuan Loc - Trang Bom belt/ Cross Bien Hoa to liberate Saigon…”in the article "Transfer of Gunman".

He was troubled:“I have returned from the war/ The old road has been paved with asphalt/ The address is still bright on my palm/ Where are you now?”in the article "Address Line".

He wrote“Let your spirit blend with the incense smoke/ With tears in your eyes, thinking about your ancestors…/ Look at Ben Tai, once stained with red blood/ The hammer and sickle flag of the year Tong is here/ Spears and halberds are drawn, drums are urging, flags are flying…”when visiting martyrs of the 30-31 period in Dien Chau district...

Returning after years of dedicating his youth to the battlefield, Mr. Dong's luggage not only included painful and glorious memories of war, the fragile boundaries between life and death, and the lingering obsessions of having to make choices... Witnessing his comrades exchanging their youth for national independence and people's happiness, the love for his homeland of the soldier from Phu Dien became even deeper. He chose a respectful and gentle attitude towards life...

"Common soldier"

“Ordinary Soldier” is the name of a poetry collection by veteran and war invalid Cao Duc Dong, published by Nghe An Publishing House. Throughout his life, whether in war or peace, Mr. Cao Duc Dong chose to live as a soldier:“As a soldier - still a soldier in everyday life / Uncle Ho's children and grandchildren are the same everywhere…”.

After leaving the army and returning to his hometown to work, Mr. Cao Duc Dong was once one of the key personnel of the government, a typical citizen with many contributions to the town, especially in cultural and artistic movements. With his ability to compose, direct and perform, he is the author of many songs praising his homeland, fostering national love, encouraging the spirit of building the country... The breath of folk songs Vi, Giam and the gentle, sincere thoughts in his compositions easily touch the emotions of listeners. His sophistication, meticulousness and creativity make the programs and scenes he directs enjoyable and well-received by everyone. He is also the one who stirs up the sports movement in the area when he pioneers in training for members of associations.

Before his wife - a former teacher whom he loved and was very proud of - passed away, they performed together on many stages, together reaping big and small awards in singing festivals in the province. That was the happiest time in his life, also the "front" that he and other peacetime veterans wanted to be attached to and contribute to.

At the age of 80, the old veteran Cao Duc Dong lives alone in a modest level 4 house next to National Highway 1A. “I maintain the habit of walking every morning and cycling every afternoon, both to exercise and to have fun - happy to meet people every day, happy to live in my homeland, to see my homeland becoming more and more beautiful. I am also happy because I can cook, clean the house, and take care of myself. My children are grown up and live near me, which is also a joy. Now I am 80 years old, and I am no longer strong enough to participate in cultural and artistic activities, so I choose to stay at home and do whatever people ask me to compose or write,” Mr. Dong confided.

Commenting on veteran Cao Duc Dong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Kieu - Secretary of the Dien Chau Town Party Committee said: "Uncle Dong is one of the town's prestigious elders, loved and respected by the people. Since his retirement, he has contributed a lot to local movement activities, is a core member of the veterans' association, the elderly association and poetry associations in the area. With his impartiality, modesty and exemplary character, he is always responsible and disciplined with the assigned tasks, always thinks of the common interests of the whole group and is willing to suffer losses. Also from his own influence, Uncle Dong has made many contributions tomass mobilization workNo matter what age or which front, he always lived as a precious soldier, inspiring and motivating our generation a lot."

Saying goodbye to that veteran, I always remembered the last part of the article "Ordinary Soldier" by Mr. Cao Duc Dong which wrote:

“…The old soldier continues his life of innovation

Still with a heavy heart for the homeland

Still passionate about all daily work…”.

He lived like that, happy and dedicated with pride as a soldier.