Highlighting the 80-year tradition of building, fighting and growing up of the heroic Thanh Hoa armed forces

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - After 80 years of building, fighting, winning and growing, the Thanh Hoa armed forces have always received the leadership of the Party, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Military Region 4 Command, agencies, departments, branches, organizations and the support and assistance of the local people. Promoting the tradition of the heroic homeland of Thanh Hoa, the provincial armed forces have constantly grown, always excellently completing all tasks, contributing to beautifying the homeland's tradition.

New soldiers perform the ritual of kissing the Quyet Thang Military Flag at the oath-taking ceremony of new soldiers in 2025 of Regiment 762 (Provincial Military Command). Photo: PV

On August 24, 1945, the Provincial Party Executive Committee and the Provisional Revolutionary Committee of Thanh Hoa Province decided to establish the Dinh Cong Trang Squadron (the predecessor of the current Provincial Armed Forces). August 24 every year becomes the traditional day of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Armed Forces.

The birth of the provincial armed forces was the crystallization of the movement of the entire people fighting the enemy, a major turning point in the development journey, contributing to the victory in the resistance wars of the entire Party, the entire army and the entire people. During the resistance war against the French colonialists, the Thanh Hoa armed forces continuously developed in terms of forces, weapons and equipment. Thanks to that, in the people's war, the provincial armed forces participated in 1,456 large and small battles, mobilized 56,792 young people, added 2 battalions, 34 companies, 6 platoons to the main force. The whole province mobilized nearly 34.2 million working days to serve the resistance war. During the Upper Laos Campaign, Thanh Hoa Province mobilized the highest number of laborers, up to 300,000 people, and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign mobilized the most means, 11,000 bicycles, 1,300 boats of all kinds, along with thousands of tons of food and provisions to serve the frontline, contributing to the glorious victories, the peak of which was the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, which "resounded throughout the five continents and shook the earth". During the resistance war against the US to save the country, Thanh Hoa was the focus of the US Air Force's attacks. The provincial People's Armed Forces and People closely coordinated with the main force to bravely fight 9,983 battles, shooting down 376 aircraft of all kinds (including 3 B52 aircraft). The militia and self-defense forces alone shot down 40 aircraft, local troops shot down 41 aircraft, and captured many enemies alive. At sea, Thanh Hoa army and people fought 175 battles, sank 57 warships and commandos of the US puppet army, were praised by the Party and State and awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to 12 groups and 55 individuals, and were awarded the rotating flag of "Determination to defeat the American invaders" by Uncle Ho along with many letters of commendation, medals of various types and many other noble awards.

During the resistance wars against French colonialism, American imperialism and the war to protect the Fatherland's borders, nearly 700,000 outstanding sons of Thanh Hoa homeland were present to fight on all battlefields, among them more than 55,000 beloved sons devoted and sacrificed their whole lives for the Fatherland, more than 43,000 people left a part of their blood and bones on the battlefields, "so that the country could blossom, and the North and South could reunite as one family".

Colonel Pham Van Sam, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Military Party Committee, Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command inspected the preparation for the contest to learn about the 80th anniversary of the tradition of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Armed Forces (August 24, 1945 - August 24, 2025).

Entering peacetime, the provincial armed forces continue to maintain their core role in successfully carrying out local military and defense tasks. Thanh Hoa's armed forces are built comprehensively and strongly, with high overall quality and combat readiness, actively advising the Party Committee and government to lead and direct local military and defense work, especially in building defense zones, the all-people defense posture associated with the increasingly solid People's security posture. The provincial armed forces are always the pioneer force in building local political bases, actively participating in the movements of "Repaying gratitude", "Elimination of hunger and poverty", "The army joins hands to build new rural areas", "Provincial armed forces join hands for the poor, leaving no one behind", "Elimination of temporary houses, dilapidated houses", prevention of natural disasters, epidemics, etc.

With great contributions to the cause of national liberation, construction and defense of the Fatherland, Thanh Hoa Armed Forces were honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party, State and Government twice; 1 Gold Star Order; 1 Ho Chi Minh Order; 1 Second Class Independence Order; 1 First Class Military Exploit Order; 1 Second Class Military Exploit Order; 1 First Class Fatherland Protection Order; 3 Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister; 9 emulation flags from the Minister of National Defense. In addition, the provincial Armed Forces were also awarded many other emulation flags, certificates of merit and certificates of merit by the Military Region Command and the Provincial People's Committee.

In the coming years, the world and regional situation is forecasted to continue to develop rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably. The domestic situation and Thanh Hoa province, besides the basic advantages, also have difficulties and challenges, especially when the whole country is in the initial stage of implementing the 2-level local government model. In particular, the dissolution of the military command of districts, towns and cities, the Provincial Border Guard Command and the establishment of 5 regional defense command committees, the Border Guard Command directly under the Provincial Military Command are strategic adjustments, marking a historical turning point of the provincial armed forces.

Promoting the glorious tradition of 80 years, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Armed Forces in the new period will continue to thoroughly grasp the Resolution of the 8th Central Committee (13th tenure), Resolution No. 44-NQ/TW dated November 24, 2023 of the Party Central Committee on "Strategy for defending the Fatherland in the new situation", promote the building of a revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern provincial armed forces. At the same time, maintain and strengthen the revolutionary nature, ensure the absolute and direct leadership of the Party in all aspects; absolutely loyal to the Party, the Fatherland and the People. Regularly raise the spirit of vigilance, combat readiness, promptly respond to situations that arise, avoid being passive or surprised; contribute to maintaining political stability, promoting local socio-economic development.

The provincial military always pays attention to building a contingent of successor cadres with strong political will, intelligence, responsibility in work, high professional qualifications, exemplary in words and actions. Effectively carry out education work, foster knowledge of national defense and security for the subjects; constantly raise awareness and responsibility of cadres, party members and people of all walks of life in building and operating the defense zone. Raise revolutionary vigilance, resolutely fight to defeat all plots and tricks of "peaceful evolution" and violent overthrow by hostile forces.

Believing that the cadres and soldiers of the provincial armed forces always join hands, unite, and are determined to break through, accelerate and rise up, contributing with the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in the province on the journey to become a new growth pole in the North of the Fatherland, to firmly enter a new era - the era of national growth.

Colonel Pham Van Sam

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Political Commissar of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Military Command

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/to-tham-truyen-thong-80-nam-xay-dung-chien-dau-va-truong-thanh-hoa-anh-hung-258966.htm