The place that records the indomitable fighting spirit of 16 armed police soldiers

VHO - On July 25, news from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province said that the People's Committee of Quang Tri province has just awarded a certificate to rank the historical relic "Commemorative site of the battle of squad 23, Vinh Linh Armed Police on October 16, 1964" in Hieu Giang commune, Quang Tri province (Thien Chanh village, Cam Thuy commune, Cam Lo district, former Quang Tri province) as a provincial-level relic.

During the war, the land of Thien Chanh village (Hieu Giang commune, Quang Tri province) - the place that suffered from bombs and bullets during the resistance war against the US, had a special historical relic: the memorial site of the battle of the 23rd Battalion of Vinh Linh Armed Police on October 16, 1964.

Representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded the certificate of provincial historical relic.

This is not only a testament to a bloody battle, but also a vivid symbol of the indomitable fighting spirit, noble sacrifice and steadfast patriotism of the soldiers of the past.

On October 16, 1964, after completing the mission of destroying the strategic hamlet in Cam Thuy commune, Squad 23 moved to Thien Chanh village to station troops. Here, the soldiers set up positions ready to fight back. At noon, a battalion of ARVN commandos with M113 armored vehicles and artillery support poured into the village.

Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, hopes that the local government will continue to protect historical values, cultural and spiritual spaces and effectively exploit relics in tourism development in the coming time.

The unequal battle was fierce. Within a few hours, 16 soldiers of Squad 23 fought to their last breath. They fought back fiercely, destroying 84 enemy soldiers and many armored vehicles. Among them, Squad Leader Le Van Quang heroically sacrificed himself when he jumped onto an M113 vehicle, threw a grenade and killed 9 enemies, contributing to clearing the way for his teammates to retreat safely.

Although the battle did not result in a tactical victory, the spiritual value it left behind was immense. The sacrifice of the soldiers of Squad 23 lit the fire of struggle in the hearts of the people of Cam Lo and neighboring areas, contributing to encouraging the Dong Khoi movement in Quang Tri in the period of 1964-1965.

Historical site “Commemorative site of the battle of squad 23, Vinh Linh Armed Police on October 16, 1964”

To commemorate the 16 heroic soldiers, in 1997, the Border Guard Command of Quang Tri Province (formerly) coordinated with the local government and people to build a memorial site - a memorial stele at the very place where they fought and sacrificed. The memorial site is carefully maintained, with a stele house, fence, screen, and pillars, engraved with the names and achievements of the heroes.

After many renovations, this place is increasingly spacious, becoming a destination to show gratitude and educate patriotic traditions for young generations.

Not only does it have historical value, the relic is also a sacred cultural and spiritual space. On major holidays such as July 27; March 3; April 30 or the day of sacrifice October 16, this place often hosts incense offering activities to commemorate and express the deep gratitude of comrades, relatives, government and people to the heroic martyrs.

Preserving and promoting the value of Thien Chanh relic is a practical action that demonstrates the morality of “remembering the source of water when drinking”. It is not only a gratitude for the past but also a responsibility for the present and the future. The examples of sacrifice of Squad 23 will forever be a torch to light the way, reminding today’s generations to cherish peace, live responsibly and contribute to building the homeland.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/noi-khac-ghi-tinh-than-chien-dau-bat-khuat-cua-16-chien-si-cong-an-vu-trang-155801.html