"When the Fatherland needs them, they know how to live apart"

Every year, on the anniversary of the Vi Xuyen battle (July 12), Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung (born in 1963, from Gia Lam district, now Gia Lam commune, Hanoi) travels hundreds of kilometers to the Vi Xuyen National Martyrs Cemetery (Ha Giang province, now Tuyen Quang province) to burn incense in memory of the heroic martyrs. Among thousands of graves, she always stops for a long time at the resting place of martyr Truong Quang Quy (born in 1962, died in 1985, from Quang Binh province, now Quang Tri province), the first love she carried with her throughout her life.

Looking back at her memories, Mrs. Nhung choked up and said: "In 1984, Mr. Quy's unit (Company 1, Battalion 64, Regiment 76, Research Department, General Staff, now General Department II) came to Gia Lam airport ( Hanoi ) for training. My grandmother's house was opposite the airport, so we saw soldiers every day, but at that time, I didn't pay any attention to anyone. Later, Mr. Quy confided that he had noticed me from the first time he saw me. He said I was simple and charming, so in his heart he only wished he could entrust his life to me.”

Mrs. Nhung choked up as she recounted her love story with martyr Truong Quang Quy.

From those brief encounters, Mr. Quy took the initiative to approach the girl he liked. After training, he and his teammates went to the fields to harvest rice for the people. "When I came home from work, I saw him rolling up his sleeves to help his family. As soon as he saw me, he ran out to get my bike and asked if I was tired. From those small gestures of concern, I gradually began to pay attention to him," Ms. Nhung recalled.

In the following days, the young soldier took advantage of every moment to talk, tell about his family, his childhood and his dream of a home. It was his simplicity and sincerity that gradually touched the heart of the Hanoi girl.

Before the unit left Gia Lam airport to take up a new assignment, Mr. Quy proposed to her and she accepted. "That day, he told me that he was very happy, as long as I accepted, he would feel secure on his journey. He gave me a grass ring and said that his family was poor, he didn't have any gold or silver rings, only this ring was a promise for the future," Ms. Nhung happily reconciled.

AfterMr. Quy's unit moved to Ba Vi district (now Ba Vi commune, Hanoi) for training, the two kept in touch by handwritten letters. Every four days, he sent a letter, telling stories about the training ground, asking about his health, and reminding them of their promise. Ms. Nhung also responded regularly, sharing small things in their daily lives. Through simple letters, their love grew over the years.

In March 1985, young soldier Truong Quang Quy received a mission to go to the Vi Xuyen front ( Ha Giang province, now Tuyen Quang province). Before leaving, he took the opportunity to visit his lover. During a family meal, he asked Nhung's parents for permission to marry her after completing his mission. Seeing the sincere feelings between the two, her parents nodded in approval.

The day he left, the promise and handwritten letters became the link between the rear and the front. In Hanoi, Ms. Nhung booked a wedding bed, bought peacock blankets, and counted the days waiting for him to return. In the letter, Mr. Quy said that when he finished his mission, he would take her to Quang Binh (now Quang Tri province) to burn incense for his parents, then go to Nhat Le beach for their honeymoon. Together, they nurtured the dream of a small home with children's laughter.

Love leaves behind at the "lime kiln of the century"

However, the letters gradually became less frequent. A month without news, then a month and 15 days. Almost two months passed, and the mailbox in front of the house was still empty. Nhung was worried, but reassured herself: "Maybe he is on a military expedition."

One afternoon in December 1985, the young girl received a letter written by his comrade, informing her that comrade Truong Quang Quy had sacrificed himself at Hill 772 while on duty. "Reading the letter, I gradually became weak and fainted. Even now, 40 years have passed, but I still miss him so much because he left without even a full kiss with his fiancée," Ms. Nhung choked up.

Since the day Mr. Quy died, Nguyen Thi Nhung has been following every clue in the hope of finding his resting place. "In 2016, by chance, I went to Vi Xuyen National Martyrs Cemetery (Ha Giang, now Tuyen Quang province). When I asked, the caretaker gave me a book of martyrs' names. As soon as I opened it, the name Truong Quang Quy appeared right before my eyes. I was speechless, tears welling up in my eyes. After so many years of waiting, I finally found him," she said.

Photo provided by character

Forty years have passed, but the pain inside her has never subsided. Every July, she is restless. During sleepless nights, when she sits quietly by the graves of her ancestors, she tells herself that she must live a life that is worthy of her past.

"I just hope I am still healthy enough to do more things, to share the pain with those who were affected by the war. Because I understand very well what the war took from me," her eyes, deeply marked by the traces of time, still light up whenever she talks about her youth and an unforgettable person. Every year, on the anniversary of the battle on July 12, Ms. Nhung arranges to go to Vi Xuyen to hold a memorial service for martyr Truong Quang Quy and his comrades.

In July at the border, the clouds of Vi Xuyen seem to be shy before the stone steles that have become milestones of patriotism. In the rustling wind, we clearly hear the reminders of the previous generation: Their youth, love and even their lives were given to the Fatherland. Peace does not come naturally, but is exchanged with the blood of soldiers, with the years of silent waiting of those who stay behind. In the face of such losses, every step today must be accompanied by gratitude. Living kindly and responsibly is the way to continue the unfinished things, so that the sacrifices of the past will not be forgotten.

Article and photos: TRAN TWO LY

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/chi-con-em-giua-thang-bay-vi-xuyen-836135