The pure essence of "Truong Son soldiers"

(Baonghean) -During the fierce years of resistance, under the endless roads of the deep Truong Son, they spared no effort in blood and youth to clear the miraculous Ho Chi Minh trail. Many glorious feats of arms remained on the battlefield after the great victory of the spring of April 30. Now returning to a new front, the soldiers of the past still do not fear difficulties, continue to dominate the battlefield in peacetime, do not accept poverty and backwardness, continue to rise up and shine. They still keep intact the beautiful tradition of the past: Truong Son soldiers.

In the midst of these historic May days, towards the 121st anniversary of the birth of beloved Uncle Ho, which is also the 52nd anniversary of the tradition of Truong Son Troops (May 19, 1959 - May 19, 2011), in Vinh City, the Truong Son Troops Liaison Committee of Nghe An Province held for the first time a conference to commend Truong Son veterans who have done well in economics. The Truong Son soldiers from Uncle Ho's hometown gathered together, together with humble but meaningful feats: feats of silence during the time of gunfire.

A legendary time

More than half a century ago, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh made a historic decision to establish a military transport route on land to support the Southern battlefield through the Truong Son range. On May 19, 1959, the Special Military Task Force - Group 559 was honored to be officially assigned this extremely heavy but also very glorious task by the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission.

Scene of the conference to honor Truong Son soldiers
in his hometown Nghe An, he is good at business.

For 16 years, from the day of opening the way until the end of the war, in difficult terrain conditions, high mountains, deep rivers, under the fierce and brutal attacks of the enemy, the Truong Son Army forces did not mind hardships, sacrifices, spared no youth, sweat and blood, proactively, creatively, intelligently, bravely opened the way, stuck to the road, stuck to the battlefield, maintained the traffic arteries, met the requirements of supporting human and material resources for the front line.

Over the course of 16 years, the Truong Son Army forces have dug and built over 28 million m³Earth and rock, cutting mountains to build a strategic transportation network nearly 20,000 km long; transported over 1.5 million tons of goods and weapons, 5.5 million tons of gasoline; organized the pick-up and transport of over 2 million officers and soldiers; fought over 1,000 battles, shot down thousands of American planes, stopped over 1,000 military operations, destroyed tens of thousands of enemies, completed its important mission, contributed worthily to the Great Victory of Spring 1975, reunified the Fatherland, and brought our country back together.

Comrade Tran Hong Chau, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee,
Chairman of the Provincial People's Council spoke at the Conference.

The more Truong Son troops fought, the more they matured in all aspects. On the economic front, they also made many significant contributions to the growth of the country. The Truong Son troops were honored by the National Assembly and the Government as a Heroic Unit of the People's Armed Forces.

Steadfast on the front line in peacetime

The war has ended 36 years ago, the Truong Son soldiers in Uncle Ho's homeland have returned to normal life. Many of them have had to do many different jobs, with many difficulties in making a living. The old victory song seemed to be forgotten, the spirit of the soldiers on the legendary route seemed to have faded. But in the most difficult circumstances, while the whole country still had many difficulties, the bravery of the Truong Son soldiers of the time "Splitting Truong Son to save the country" arose, more urging than ever. Not surrendering to fate, determined to rise up at all costs, with the pride of a soldier. Many of them have had stable, prosperous lives, and many have become successful and steadfast in the business world. The first conference to honor Truong Son soldiers in Nghe An homeland who are good at economics (May 2011) is a proof.

Comrade Tran Hong Chau, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, awarded certificates of merit from the Provincial People's Committee to 11 former Truong Son soldiers with outstanding economic achievements.

In this gathering, in addition to the presence of Major General Vo So - Head of the National Liaison Committee of Truong Son Troops, Representative of Military Region 4; Comrade Tran Hong Chau - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; leaders of agencies and units in the province, nearly 100 delegates of Truong Son veterans were also honored to receive congratulatory flower baskets from Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen - former member of the Politburo, former Deputy Prime Minister, Commander of the Truong Son Corps, "the eldest brother" of Truong Son Troops.

Sharing the joy of the meeting day, we felt like we were among the young soldiers of Truong Son in the past, although their silver hair and wrinkled skin were not those of youth. But on their shoulder boards, on their silver heads today, there were still military insignias from the battlefield. Some still wore sergeant ranks, some wore lieutenant and first lieutenant ranks when they were grandparents' or grandfather's age. Youth had stopped on the battlefield with shoulder boards marking their achievements. Youth still remains today on the day of the military reunion, youthful again like the day they left the army. And the serene laughter, the stories "still fun to talk about" reminded us of the strange romance of those who lay under the rain of bombs and bullets "Oh Truong Son! On the road we passed, there was not a single human footprint / There was a yellow deer tilting its bewildered ears / Lying on the back of the pass listening to the stream singing..."

Representatives of the Truong Son Nghe An Military Command presented flowers to Major General Vo So, Head of the National Truong Son Military Command Liaison Committee.

Nghe An has nearly 30,000 members of the Truong Son veteran association, who are soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline workers. Many members, upon returning to their hometowns, have promoted the traditional qualities of the Truong Son soldiers, solidarity, dynamism, daring to think and act in developing the family economy, organizing effective businesses in many fields: farming, production complexes, restoring and developing traditional industries. From the fruits of their labor, they have created jobs for families with meritorious services, helped the families of their comrades in difficult circumstances, contributed to hunger eradication and poverty reduction, and economic development in the area. In addition, hundreds of millions of dong have been contributed by the Truong Son veteran to the district and provincial charity funds every year.

The number of more than 50 former Truong Son soldiers honored on this occasion is not the final number, because there are many other veterans who are also quietly, with their willpower and determination, eliminating hunger and reducing poverty and contributing to helping society and the community.

Comrade Tran Hong Chau, on behalf of the leaders of Nghe An province, thanked and acknowledged the achievements of the Truong Son War Veterans in economic development and helping each other to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, in charity work... He also requested the Truong Son War Veterans Liaison Committee to continue to promote the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the new period, building a quality brand and the trust of each enterprise and individual towards society and the people.

Dance performance of the Truong Son Youth Volunteer Girls of the past

Major General Vo So, Head of the National Liaison Committee of Truong Son Troops - Ho Chi Minh Trail, affirmed: Under the wise leadership of the Party and Uncle Ho, and the support of international friends, our people joined forces and unanimously won complete victory and liberated the country. Contributing to that great victory were the military branches, forces, and soldiers of Command 559, Truong Son Troops; people who did not mind sacrifices and hardships, dedicating their youth, talent, and intelligence to open the legendary Truong Son Trail.

Meeting Truong Son again through people from the past, meeting Truong Son's spirit through what they do today, we seem to see a Truong Son that has existed for centuries.

Tran Hai